Calculating Formal Charge

[Rain Taganas 1J]

Is there a faster way of calculating formal charge other than the equation V-(L+(s/2))?

[Christian Fulinara 3H]

To simplify the equation, it is easier to subtract the number of electrons(dots) and the number of bonds(lines) from the number of valence electrons, per element.

[Derek Waters 1A]

Yeah you can think of the s/2 as just the bond lines to make it simpler

[Jonathan Tangonan 1E]

Yes so each bond line that you see would count as one electron and each lone pair would have two electrons and you would just subtract that from the usual amount of valence electrons that surround the atom.

[aaron tang 2K]

Subtract the valence electrons of an elements by the bonds and electrons that are around it. Bonds are represented as 1 electron.