8.4: Formal Charge

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Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Which of the following statements concerning the formal charge of an atom is/are true?

The formal charge of each individual atom in a molecule or ion is the actual atomic charge that can be determined experimentally.
The formal charge of each individual atom is always the same for each possible resonance form.
The sum of the formal charges of each atom in an ion equals the overall charge of the molecule or ion.

a. 1 only b. 2 only c. 3 only d. 1 and 2 e. 1 and 3

Answer: c. 3 only

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

What is the formal charge on the carbon atom in CO?

Answer: 0

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

What is the formal charge on each atom in dichloromethane, CH₂Cl₂?

Answer: C atom = 0, each H atom = 0, and each Cl atom = 0

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

What is the formal charge on the O₂ atom in the following Lewis structure?

8.3.4.png

Answer: b1

Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

What is the formal charge of the oxygen atom in the Lewis structure for cyanate shown below?

8.3.5.png

Answer: 2

Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\)

One resonance structure for OCN^– ion is drawn below. What is the formal charge on each atom?

Answer: O atom = –1, C atom = 0, and N atom = 0

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