## Stability

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

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AMahadi
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:17 am

### Stability

Why is the formal charge of an atom indicative of it being more stable?

Ruby Tang 1E
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Stability

It's all about charge distribution. The closer to 0 the formal charge is, the more evenly distributed the electrons are about the molecule. If the absolute values of the formal charges of the atoms in a molecule are high, this will lead to the molecule having regions that are more negatively or positively charged than the rest of the molecule, which is generally unfavorable when we are trying to find the structure with the lowest energy (aka the most stable structure).

Arianna Perea 3H
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Stability

For it to be considered more stable, is it the central element that has to be closest to 0 or the surrounding ones as well?

Pablo 3I
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Stability

The central atom should be of a charge of 0 for the structure of a molecule top be most stable. As for any charges If the whole electron shell is filled that means it will be at its most stable state.

KTran 1I
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Stability

Arianna Perea 3H wrote:For it to be considered more stable, is it the central element that has to be closest to 0 or the surrounding ones as well?

Ideally, the central element and all the other elements should have a formal charge of zero or close to zero because this would indicate that the electrons are evenly distributed.

philipraj_1F
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Stability

Higher uneven distribution of charges in a molecule will cause it to be less stable. When the formal charge is closest to zero, that is when it is most stable.

Bryce Barbee
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:20 am

### Re: Stability

The formal charge of the atom relates to how stable it is because if it is zero then it has less of a chance to gain or lose an electron.

Pablo 3I
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Stability

By having a 0 charge, nothing will interfere (ideally) with the molecule as all electron shells are full. All elements are in the best state to be.

Veronica Lu 3L
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: Stability

the formal charge should be zero (or close to it) in order for the octet to be complete and create stability.

Micah3J
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Stability

Is there a quick way of determining the formal charge of an atom without going through the equation each time? Thanks

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