Question

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

• A. $0$
• B. $-3$
• C. $+3$
• D. $+5$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $0$

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 $=5-0-\frac{1}{2}\times 10=0$