Answer: Benzene is more stable than a hypothetical cyclohexatriene by 150 kJ/mol.
- A Benzene is more stable than a hypothetical cyclohexatriene by 150 kJ/mol
- B Benzene actually contains 150 kJ/mol more total energy than expected
- C Drawing a single resonance structure requires an input of 150 kJ
- D Breaking just one C-C bond in benzene requires exactly 150 kJ
Correct answer: A. Benzene is more stable than a hypothetical cyclohexatriene by 150 kJ/mol
Explanation: Resonance energy is the extra stabilisation relative to a single resonance structure; benzene's delocalised pi system stabilises it by ~150 kJ/mol.
VSEPR theory predicts molecular shape from the number of bonding and lone electron pairs around the central atom.
Concept context
Understand how atoms join to form molecules. Covers ionic and covalent bonding, VSEPR theory, hybridization (sp, sp², sp³), molecular orbital theory, bond polarity, and intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding.
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