Formal Charge Lecture Review

This set of flashcards covers the fundamental concepts, conditions, and calculations for formal charge as described in the Labster Theory material.

Formal charge

The charge ($+$ or $-$) assigned to an atom assuming that all the electron pairs that make up the covalent bonds are shared equally between the atoms.

Negatively charged atom

An atom where the total number of electrons is higher than the number of protons in the nucleus.

Positively charged atom

An atom where the total number of electrons is lower than the number of protons in the nucleus.

$$FC = V - N - \frac{B}{2}$$

The formula used to calculate the formal charge of an atom.

$$V$$

The number of valence electrons of the neutral atom.

$$N$$

The number of non-bonding valence electrons (lone-pairs) the atom has in this molecule.

$$B$$

The total number of electrons shared in bonds to other atoms in this molecule.