Bond length clarification

[806127942]

I am still confused on how to determine bond length of an atom. Is this something we will need to memorize or is there an equation the calculate the length? How are bond length and formal charge related to covalent character?

[Sean Cronin]

I believe bond length CAN be predicted experimentally, but it would only be an estimate. It otherwise would need to be experimentally derived using a method such as X-ray diffraction. In terms of bond length's relationship with covalent character, shorter bonds usually will indicate a stronger bond, while longer bonds are less strong bonds. Formal charges closest to 0 or at 0 in molecules and even their individual atoms indicated a more stable atom with stronger bonds as well.