Formal charge with ions
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Formal charge with ions
when calculating formal charges of ions, do we add/subtract the indicated charges on the atoms that they influence? or do we just use the typical number of valence electrons?
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Re: Formal charge with ions
To calculate the formal charges of atoms in a molecule, you use the typical number of valence electrons for that atom. But if you added the formal charges of all the atoms in an ion, they should add up to the total charge of the ion.
For example, in CH3(-), C has a formal charge of -1 (FC=4-2-3=-1) and all of the H atoms have a formal charge of 0. Adding -1+0+0+0 = -1, which is the total charge of the ion.
For example, in CH3(-), C has a formal charge of -1 (FC=4-2-3=-1) and all of the H atoms have a formal charge of 0. Adding -1+0+0+0 = -1, which is the total charge of the ion.
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Re: Formal charge with ions
The last answer explains it well. The charge of the ion should be the same as the formal charge. This is why the formal charges of atoms and molecules should be equal to 0 if they are not ionized.
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Re: Formal charge with ions
You calculate it the same as you would if there were no charge, and should get the overall charge of the ion when adding up the formal charges of each atom.
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Re: Formal charge with ions
You would use the normal equation to calculate the formal charge but when you add up all of the formal charge, it should equal the charge of the ion.
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