A molecule may be represented by three structures having energies E1, E2 and E3, respectively. The energies of these structures follow the order E3

Question

A molecule may be represented by three structures having energies E1, E2 and E3, respectively. The energies of these structures follow the order E3 < E2 < E1, respectively. If the experimental bond energy of the molecule is E0, the resonance energy is :

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Step 1: The resonance energy of a molecule is defined as the difference in energy between the most stable contributing resonance structure (the one with the lowest potential energy) and the actual resonance hybrid (determined experimentally as E_0). Step 2: Among the three structures, the one with the lowest potential energy is the most stable, which is E_3 (since the energy order is E_3 < E_2 < E_1). Step 3: Thus, the resonance energy is calculated as the difference between the experimental actual energy (E_0) and the energy of the most stable structure (E_3). Hence, Resonance Energy = E_0 - E_3, which corresponds to option (b).

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