Question

In $P{O}_4^{-3}$ ion, the formal charge on the oxygen atom of $P-O$ bond is :

• A. $+1$
• B. $-1$
• C. $-0.75$
• D. $+0.75$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$-1$

Formula to calculate formal charge is:

$=\frac{\text{Total charge on X atom}}{\text{Total number of A-X bonds}}$

Here, $A$ is central atom and $X$ is the bonded atoms.

Formal charge on the oxygen is $=\frac{-3}{4}$ $=-0.75$

So the correct option is [C].