Assigning Formal Charge

[summer b - 2F]

Hi, is formal charge just a tool to help arrange where bonds go? Is there any other use for it besides this? I can't think of any, and I'm asking because that's what I have written down is all.

[Leia1H]

Information wise, a formal charge does let us know what the theoretical charge on any given atom in a molecule is, but practically the only use for this is to create ideal Lewis structures.

[806063252]

It is used to help create stable resonance structures.

[Jesse Martinez 2B]

Hi there,

I believe when thinking of formal charge, it is best to think about it as the best initial tool to check our work. I personally try to make the best structure when just looking at the molecular formula, however I do feel that formal charge is the best way to check my work, and make sure I haven't mistakenly assigned the wrong formal charge to the overall molecule, or even to individual atoms.

Hope this is helpful

[Kaili 3H]

Formal charge has proved useful in many ways. We first utilized it to predict the most plausible lewis structure, structures with a FC of 0 or as close to it are most ideal. Additionally, the formal charge of each of the atoms in the molecule can be summed up to represent the charge of the entire molecule. FC can also be used to predict molecular shapes by understanding the repulsive and attractive forces between atoms/molecules.