Formal Charges

[Alexis DeHorta 2A]

What are some methods to use when calculating formal charge other than the FC = V - (L + s/2)? How do we know from calculating the formal charges for each, the overall charge of the molecule?

[Charlotte McDonough 2B]

I think that's really the only method to calculate formal charge from the lewis structure. But as for your other question, you can find the overall charge of the molecule by adding the formal charge of each atom together.

[Carmen Kim 3I]

Hi,
From what I’ve learned throughout the lectures, I believe the one specified is the only method e can use to calculate the formal charge. FC = V - ( L + s/2 ) is what I would use as well. Also, you can get the overall charge of the molecule by counting the number of electrons and adding the formal charge of each atom, as someone said above.

[Omar Alkhalili 1J]

Hello! I believe that's the easiest and most straightforward method. You can find the total charge of the molecule by adding together the formal charge of all of the atoms.

[Mihir Sukhatme 1D]

This is the most standard and easiest way to determine the formal charges. To get the overall charge just add the individual formal charges together. This can also serve as a good sanity check because it allows you to check whether you calculated individual formal charges correctly.