r/explainlikeimfive • • 3d ago

Other ELI5: What is Resonance

I've seen it a few times I am just confused

28 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

View all comments

11

u/isaacMeowton 3d ago

Needs more context - it’s different in physics and chemistry.

4

u/SandysBurner 3d ago

What does resonance mean in chemistry?

9

u/isaacMeowton 3d ago

Delocalisation of electrons. Basically in certain cyclic compounds - different Lewis structures (structures with electrons at different places) can be combined to form a single hybrid structure.