Question

What is the formal charge on phosphorus in po43-?

Answer 1

To find

The formal charge on phosphorus in (PO4)3-

Calculation:

General expression for calculating formal charge is given as follows:

Let formal charge be f ;

$\boxed{ \sf{f =(no. \: of \: valence \: {e}^{ - } ) -(total \: no. \: of \: nonbonding \: {e}^{ - }) - \dfrac{1}{2} (shared \: {e}^{ - }) }}$

Putting available values from Lewis-Dot Diagram;

$= > \sf{f =(5 ) -(0) - \dfrac{1}{2} (8) }$

$= > \sf{f =(5 ) - \dfrac{1}{2} (8) }$

$= > \sf{f =5 -4 }$

$= > \sf{f = + 1}$

So, final answer is:

$\boxed{ \rm{formal \: charge \: of \: P = + 1}}$

Answer 2

Formal Charge of P

Explanation:

• Given : Ion [PO$4$]$3-$

• To find : Formal Charge of P

• Lewis Structure : as per attached pdf

• Formula : Formal Charge = V$e$ - B - d

      where : V$e$ = valence electrons for the species

                     B = no. of bonds in Lewis Structure

                     d = no. of lone electrons

• Solution:

      For P, V$e$ = 5 (being Group 15 element)

                  B = 5 (refer Lewis structure attached)

                  d = 0 (refer Lewis structure attached)

Substituting these values in formula: Formal Charge=V$e$ - B - d

Formal Charge of P = 5 - 5 - 0 = 0

• Answer : Formal Charge of P in [PO$4$]$3-$ is zero.

b7297cbcdeeb87cac9d6d93f2fbc73e4.pdf