Question

The formal charge on the phosphorous atom in $P{O}_4^{3-}$ ion is:

• A. 0.0
• B. $+2$
• C. $-2$
• D. $+3$

Answer 1

The correct option is A 0.0

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.

Hence, the formal charge on $P$ atom = $5-0-\frac{1}{2}\times 10=0$