Formal Charge
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Re: Formal Charge
I think it depends on the electronegativity of the atom. For example in SO3-, the O will more likely take on the negative charge because it is more electronegative than S and hence will draw electrons more strongly to itself compared to S.
Last edited by RachaelKoh3A on Wed Nov 07, 2018 1:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Formal Charge
I agree with Rachael. It depends on the electronegativity of the atom. Whatever element is the most electronegative in the compound should have the charge. It doesn't have to be specifically the central atom or the outer one.
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Re: Formal Charge
An easy way to remember how to find formal charge is take the atom's valence electrons and subtract it with the number of dots and lines around it on the lewis structure
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Re: Formal Charge
Obviously there are exceptions, but I think that it is better to have no formal charge on the central atom in order to have the Lewis Structure of the lowest energy and most stability. Also, if you add up the formal charges of all the elements it should equal the charge of the compound.
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Re: Formal Charge
I agree that the formal charge should be close to 0 on the central atom and if there are any charges they should be on the outer elements. It is also important to look at electronegativity, but the least electronegative element is more likely to be the central atom, so this follows the pattern that charge in on outer elements.
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Re: Formal Charge
Generally, although there are exceptions, the central atom should have a formal charge of zero for it to be most stable.
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Re: Formal Charge
I agree, usually the central atom has a charge of 0 in order for it to be more stable.
Re: Formal Charge
To let the structure be as stable as possible, a charge of 0 is the most stable. The outer elements can have a charge as long as the charges are symmetrical for it to still be stable.
Re: Formal Charge
Generally, the more electronegative atoms have charges and the central atoms dont have charges for it to be most stable.
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Re: Formal Charge
Just try to get formal charges to equal zero or match the charge that the molecule is supposed to have.
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Re: Formal Charge
To add to the previous replies, the most stable structure would be the one with all of the atoms having a formal charge of zero. Usually we want the central atom to have a formal charge of zero, and if the whole molecule has a charge on it, then the outer atoms could have a formal charge that doesn't equal zero...either being positive or negative.
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Re: Formal Charge
Like others have said, with formal charge your most stable Lewis structure is when they all have a FC of 0, but if that isn't possible you usually want your central atom to have a formal charge of 0 for it to be stable.
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Re: Formal Charge
When drawing Lewis structures for ions, it is best of the central atom to have a formal charge of 0 and to place any negative charge on the outer elements because that is when it is most stable.
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Re: Formal Charge
I think it is better to have zero formal charge on the central atom; though the electronegativity is also very important, the formal charge of the central atom is more important
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