> See also: > - Reference # Formal Charges If the atom has one *more* electron in the molecule, it is shown with a **"-" charge** If the atom has one *less* electron, it is shown with a **"+" charge** Neutral molecules with both a "+" and a "-" are **dipolar** --- > [!info] Calculating Formal Charge > $ Formal \ Charge = V - N - {B \over 2} $ > - $V$: Valence Electrons > - $N$: # of non-bonded electrons > - $B$: # of bonded electrons --- - All atoms want to be as close to 0 as possible. - All formal charges for a molecule must add up to the charge of the molecule ![[Pasted image 20240129155619.png|300]]