Formal Charge Made Simple: A Guide to Molecular Stability

The video tutorial explains the concept of formal charge in Lewis structures, detailing how atoms lose or gain electrons. It defines formal charge as the difference between valence electrons in an isolated atom and those assigned in a molecule. The tutorial covers rules for calculating formal charge, emphasizing that the sum of formal charges is zero for neutral species, negative for anions, and positive for cations. Examples include phosphine, ozone, ammonium ion, and nitrate ion. The video also discusses how molecular structure affects formal charge and stability, using nitrous oxide as an example.

What is the definition of formal charge in a polyatomic molecule?

How do you calculate the formal charge of an atom in a molecule?

Describe the formal charge distribution in the ozone molecule.

What is the significance of the sum of formal charges in a molecule?

Explain how the presence of formal charge can predict the stability of a molecule.