## Formal charge

$FC=V-(L+\frac{S}{2})$

OrAmar-1L
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Formal charge

In regards to counting the electrons on the molecule to make sure that each atom has the right amount, when are bonds counted as two electrons and when are they counted as one? I might be pretty confused so if the question is off let me know(:

Nahelly Alfaro-2C
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:04 am

### Re: Formal charge

Bonds are always counted as one electron, never as two electrons. If a single bond is present there is one election. In the presence of a double bond, there are two electrons If a triple bond is present there are three electrons.

Maria Zamarripa 1L
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:05 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Formal charge

If you are checking for formal charge and actually plugging into the equation then you should count bonds as two because you will be multiplying by 1/2 anyway, but if you are just counting them and subtracting from the number of valence electrons it has then only count the bonds as having one electron.

Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 3:02 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Formal charge

When checking formal charge, bonds count as a single electron if you are not using the equation and just counting, but if you are trying to satisfy an octet, a single bond counts as two electrons for an atom.

FizaBaloch1J
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:01 am

### Re: Formal charge

Lone pairs are counted as 2 electrons, while a single bond is counted as one valence electron when determining formal charge.

Molly Oakes 1A
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:04 am

### Re: Formal charge

You count single bonds as two if you're plugging them into the equation (because they get divided by two in the equation), but you can count them as one to skip dividing by two.