What is formal charge?

1.	What is formal charge?
Answer» The formal charge over an atom of a polyatomic molecule or ion is the difference between the valence electron of that atom in the elemental state and the number of electrons assigned to that atom in Lewis structure.Mathematically, it can be expressed by following formula:F.C. = [Total no. of valence e– in free state] – [total no. of e– assigned in Lewis structure]F.C. = [Total no. of valence e– in free state] – [total no. of non-bonding pair e– (lone pair)] – 1/2 [total no. of bonding e–]The factor of ½ is attached to the no. of bonding e– because bonding e– is shared between two atoms. Patanahi

Discussion