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1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 46m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 51m
7. Gases3h 52m
8. Thermochemistry2h 38m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 10m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 34m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Formal Charge

General Chemistry

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Formal Charge

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Multiple Choice

Calculate the formal charge of the carbon atom within a carbon monoxide molecule.

–1

–2

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the number of valence electrons for a neutral carbon atom, which is 4.

Count the number of non-bonding electrons around the carbon atom in the Lewis structure of CO. In this structure, carbon has 1 lone pair, which means 2 non-bonding electrons.

Count the number of bonds carbon forms in the CO molecule. Carbon forms a triple bond with oxygen, contributing 3 bonding pairs or 6 electrons.

Use the formal charge formula: Formal Charge = (Valence Electrons) - (Non-bonding Electrons) - (Bonding Electrons/2). Substitute the values: Formal Charge = 4 - 2 - (6/2).

Simplify the expression to find the formal charge of the carbon atom in CO.