Dispersal of charge is stabilizing and concentration of charge is destablilizing. Resonance hybrid is a mixture Look at acetic acid. Resonance theory explains the stability of the conjugate anion and hence the wilingness of HOAc to loose a proton. General Rules for Resonance 1. All resonance structures must be valid Lewis structures 2.
Structures differ only in arrangement of electrons.
Atoms and bond angles cannot change. Major resonance contributor is one with lowest energy. Neg charge more stable on electroneg atom. H 12 O 2 etc. Acids and Bases 1.