Calculate the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in NO3-.

Calculate the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in NO3-.

Step 1: Identify the number of valence electrons for nitrogen. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
Step 2: Determine the number of non-bonding electrons on the nitrogen atom in NO3-. In this case, nitrogen has 0 non-bonding electrons.
Step 3: Count the number of bonding electrons. In NO3-, nitrogen is bonded to three oxygen atoms. Each bond has 2 electrons, so there are 3 bonds x 2 electrons = 6 bonding electrons.
Step 4: Calculate the formal charge using the formula: Formal charge = valence electrons - (non-bonding electrons + 1/2 bonding electrons).
Step 5: Plug in the values: Formal charge = 5 - (0 + 1/2(6)).
Step 6: Simplify the equation: Formal charge = 5 - (0 + 3) = 5 - 3 = 2.
Step 7: Therefore, the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in NO3- is 0.

Formal Charge Calculation – Understanding how to calculate the formal charge on an atom using the formula: Formal charge = valence electrons - (non-bonding electrons + 1/2 bonding electrons).
Lewis Structures – Knowledge of how to draw Lewis structures to determine the arrangement of electrons in molecules.
Oxidation States – Understanding the relationship between formal charge and oxidation states in molecules.