Lewis Structures and Formal Charge Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering formal charge calculations, shortcuts, and octet rule exceptions based on the lecture.

Formal Charge

The calculated value for an atom in a molecule, found by taking its original number of valence electrons and subtracting nonbonding electrons and the number of bonds.

Formal Charge Shortcut

A quick method to determine an atom's formal charge by taking its number of valence electrons and subtracting the total count of 'things' (individual lone pair electrons and individual bonds) attached to it.

Duet

The stable electron count of two valence electrons that hydrogen seeks to achieve, serving as an exception to the octet rule.

Electron Deficient Molecules

Molecules containing central atoms such as beryllium, boron, or aluminum that can form stable chemical structures with fewer than eight valence electrons.

Expanded Octet

A violation of the octet rule where a central atom, such as phosphorus, accommodates more than eight valence electrons (for example, 10 valence electrons across five bonds).