Question

Calculate the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in $N{H}_4^{+}$.

• A. 0.25
• B. -1
• C. +1
• D. -0.25

Answer 1

The correct option is C +1

Formal charge on any atom is calculated as:
Formal charge $\left(FC\right)$ = $V-L-\frac{B}{2}$
Where,
V = Total number of valence electrons in the atom.
L = Total number of non bonding(lone pair) electrons in the atom.
B = Total number of bonding (shared) electrons in that particular atom.


For the given structure, we have $V=5;L=0;B=8$

$\therefore$ Formal charge on the nitrogen atom in $N{H}_4^{+}$(ammonium) ion is:
$FC=5-0-\frac{1}{2}\times \left(8\right)\therefore FC=1$

The formal charge on nitrogen in case of $N{H}_4^{+}$(ammonium) ion is +1.