Question

Explain the significance of formal charge with the help of a suitable example

Answer 1

Number of atoms	Total number of electrons in a free atom (V.E.)	Total number of non-bonding electrons (N.E.)	Total number of shared electrons in bond (B.E.)	Formal charge F.C = `("V.E.")-("N"."E")-1/2("B.E.")`
1	6	4	4	F.C. = `6 - 4 - 1/2 (4) = 0`
2	4	0	8	F.C. = `4 - 0 - 1/2 (8) = 0`
3	6	4	4	F.C. = `6 - 4 - 1/2 (4) = 0`