Formal Charge

[Nicole Garrido 2I]

Is it better for the central element of the outside elements to have a charge? Why?

[RachaelKoh3A]

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.

[Amy Dinh 1A]

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.

[ThomascnguyenDis1J]

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

[Soumya Ravichandran 4H]

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.

[Lasya Gudipudi 1A]

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.

[Sang Hyoun Hong 3G]

Generally, although there are exceptions, the central atom should have a formal charge of zero for it to be most stable.

[Kevin Arokiaraj 4E]

I agree, usually the central atom has a charge of 0 in order for it to be more stable.

[yuetao4k]

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.

[Abhi4F]

Generally, the more electronegative atoms have charges and the central atoms dont have charges for it to be most stable.

[Tatum Keichline 2B]

Just try to get formal charges to equal zero or match the charge that the molecule is supposed to have.

[Alyssa Wilson 2A]

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.

[Diana Sandoval 1K]

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.

[Zubair Ahmed 1L]

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.

[Yixiao Hu 3C]

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