Assign formal charges to all atoms in the following resonance form for HNO₃. A)0 for all atoms B)+1 for N,-1 for oxygen (c),0 for all other atoms C)+1 for N and H,-1 for oxygen (a)and oxygen (c),0 for oxygen (b) D)+1 for H,-2 for each oxygen,+5 for N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To assign formal charges, we use the formula FC = valence electrons - (lone pair electrons + 1/2 bonding electrons).

For N: FC = 5 - (0 + 4) = +1
For O (c): FC = 6 - (2 + 2) = -1
For O (a) and O (c): FC = 6 - (2 + 2) = -1
For O (b): FC = 6 - (4 + 0) = 0
For H: FC = 1 - (0 + 1) = 0

Therefore, the formal charges for this resonance form are: 
+1 for N 
-1 for O (a) and O (c)
0 for O (b) and H.

Among the given choices, option B is the best choice as it correctly identifies which atoms have nonzero formal charges.

Assign Formal Charges to All Atoms in the Following Resonance