What is the formal charge of the carbon in carbon dioxide (CO₂)when drawn with two double bonds? A)+1 B)0 C)-1 D)-2

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In carbon dioxide (CO2), when drawn with two double bonds, the carbon atom shares four electrons with two oxygen atoms (two from each double bond). According to the formal charge formula, Formal Charge = Valence electrons - (Non-bonding electrons + 1/2 Bonding electrons), carbon has 4 valence electrons, no non-bonding electrons, and 8 bonding electrons (4 from each double bond). Thus, the formal charge on carbon is 4 - (0 + 1/2*8) = 4 - 4 = 0.

What Is the Formal Charge of the Carbon in Carbon