Explore the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation
See the resonance forms of ozone, nitrate, carbonate, nitrite and benzene and the averaged hybrid. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Resonance Structures & Delocalisation with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation?
See the resonance forms of ozone, nitrate, carbonate, nitrite and benzene and the averaged hybrid. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Resonance explains why all C–C bonds in benzene are equal, why carboxylic acids are acidic and how dyes get their colours.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Some molecules need more than one Lewis structure.
The real molecule is a hybrid, an average of them.
Bond orders in the hybrid are fractions like 1.5.
Flip through the three forms of nitrate.
Show the hybrid of benzene and read the bond order.
Compare ozone's two O–O bonds in each form and in the hybrid.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Molecules learners
Chemistry and biology students learning bonding and molecular shape, and teachers who need an interactive 3D model instead of a textbook drawing.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Show the hybrid of benzene and read the bond order. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is a resonance hybrid?
The real structure of the molecule, which is an average of all valid resonance forms.
Does the molecule flip between the structures?
No. The molecule always has the single hybrid structure; the separate drawings are only a bookkeeping tool.
Is the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation free to use?
Yes. The Resonance Structures & Delocalisation is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Molecules group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Resonance Structures & Delocalisation takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation?
1. In the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation, use the controls to change Molecule, Structure, Your centre atom, Oxygen atoms around it, Double bonds to oxygen, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation, pick an option such as Ozone O₃, Nitrate NO₃⁻, Carbonate CO₃²⁻, Nitrite NO₂⁻ to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation, press "Show the hybrid", "Auto flip" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Flip through the three forms of nitrate. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Resonance Structures & Delocalisation responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Some molecules need more than one Lewis structure.
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See the resonance forms of ozone, nitrate, carbonate, nitrite and benzene and the. Free to use.
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