Determining Formal Charge [ENDORSED]

[Ryan Neis 2L]

When determining the best structure of a molecule why does the formal charge have to be 0?

[Rebecca Cheung 1E]

Formal charge of 0 corresponds to lower energy and is more stable.

[Jessica Benitez 1K]

When we see a formal charge of 0, it is the most stable structure.

[Andrea ORiordan 1L]

There's also an easier way to determine formal charge than to use the formula. You just see how many valence electrons that atom normally has, and compare it to how many electrons it has in the structure (a bond counts as one electron, a lone pair counts as two). If it has more electrons than it normally has, the formal charge is however many more electrons it has, and is negative. If it has fewer electrons than it normally has, the formal charge is however many less electrons it has, and is positive.