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Formal Charge

Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 13 of 49.

Formal charge = valence electrons − lone-pair electrons − bonds.

Choose the structure whose formal charges are closest to zero: O=C=O, not O≡C-O.

Carbon monoxide needs a triple bond: C is −1 and O is +1. The charges add up to the molecule's charge.

Carbon monoxide: a triple bond, a lone pair on C and on O, a 1- charge on C and 1+ on O

CO: every atom has an octet, at the cost of two formal charges

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Challenge

Carbon monoxide, CO, is a poisonous gas from burning fuel without enough air. Draw its Lewis structure, with every atom at 8 electrons.

Try it yourself

Lewis boardDraw the Lewis structure of CO
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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Structure and Bonding

1Ionic Bonding

Why Atoms BondForming IonsThe Ionic BondIonic FormulasPolyatomic IonsIonic LatticesRecap - Salt Factory

4Polarity

Electronegativity and BondsPolar and Non-polar BondsIonic or CovalentPolar MoleculesWhen Dipoles CancelRecap - Dipole Hunt

7Functional Groups

Carbon ChainsStructural FormulasAlcoholsCarboxylic AcidsEsters and EthersAldehydes, Ketones, AminesRecap - Group Finder

2Covalent Bonds

Sharing ElectronsCounting Valence ElectronsDrawing Lewis StructuresDouble and Triple BondsLone PairsFormal ChargeLewis Structures of IonsRecap - Molecule Builder

5Forces Between Molecules

London ForcesDipole-Dipole ForcesHydrogen BondsBoiling PointsLike Dissolves LikeRecap - Boiling Contest

8Practice Problems

Recap - Polar Bonds SurveyRecap - Pigments and HexaneRecap - Butanol and EtherRecap - Dots on an Oxide

3Shapes of Molecules

Electron GroupsLinear and Trigonal PlanarTetrahedral MoleculesPyramids and Bent MoleculesBond AnglesRecap - Shape Detective

6Metals and Giant Structures

Metallic BondingDiamond and GraphiteGiant Covalent StructuresFour Kinds of SubstanceRecap - Material Match