chem: useful tip for lewis structure confusion

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eggy 2020-10-13 19:45:42 -04:00
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@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ Sometimes, one atom in a covalent bond may contribute both electrons in a shared
### Formal charge ### Formal charge
There may be several correct ways to draw covalent bonds in Lewis structures and dot diagrams. Solving for the **formal charge** of each atom involved in a covalent bond can help identify the **best** structure to construct. The formal charge of an atom in a covalent bond represents the charge that that atom has. The sum of all formal charges in a covalently bonded compound is equal to the charge of the overall compound. There may be several correct ways to draw covalent bonds in Lewis structures and dot diagrams. Solving for the **formal charge** of each atom involved in a covalent bond can help identify the **best** structure to construct. The formal charge of an atom in a covalent bond represents the charge that that atom has. The sum of all formal charges in a covalently bonded compound is equal to the charge of the overall compound. **The element with the lowest electronegativity is almost always in the centre.**
The formal charge of an atom can be calculated using the following equation: The formal charge of an atom can be calculated using the following equation:
$$\text{Formal charge} = \text{# of valence electrons of element} - \text{# of unpaired electrons} - \text{# of covalent bonds}$$ $$\text{Formal charge} = \text{# of valence electrons of element} - \text{# of unpaired electrons} - \text{# of covalent bonds}$$