Question

what is the formal charge on phosporus in H3PO4

Answer 1

phosphate charge is 3  so formal charge phosphorus  is  3

Answer 2

Given:

$H_3PO_4$

To find:

Formal charge on phosporus in $H_3PO_4$

Solution:

Total valence electrons of P=5

Total number of shared electrons=8

Total number of unshared electrons=0

We know that

Formal charge of an atom=Number of valance electrons-1/2 (Total number of shared electrons)-Total number of unshared electrons

Using the formula

Formal charge on Phosporus=$5-\frac{1}{2}(8)-0=1$

Hence, the formal charge on Phosporus in $H_3PO_4=+1$