Question

what is the formal charge on oxygen in the lewis structure shown below ? :cl - o - cl: -2 -1 +2 0 +1

Explanation:

Step1: Recall formal - charge formula

The formula for formal charge is $FC = V - N - \frac{B}{2}$, where $V$ is the number of valence electrons of the neutral atom, $N$ is the number of non - bonding electrons, and $B$ is the number of bonding electrons.

Step2: Identify values for oxygen

Oxygen has 6 valence electrons ($V = 6$). In the Lewis structure of $Cl - O - Cl$, the oxygen atom has 4 non - bonding electrons ($N = 4$) and 4 bonding electrons ($B = 4$).

Step3: Calculate formal charge

Substitute the values into the formula: $FC=6 - 4-\frac{4}{2}$. First, $\frac{4}{2}=2$. Then, $6 - 4-2=0$.

Answer:

0