What is the formal charge of the Nitrogen atom in NO3-?
  1. -2
  2. -1
  3. 0
  4. +1
  5. +2
Explanation
Answer: D. The Lewis diagram shows Nitrogen at the center with two single bonds to two of the oxygen’s and a double bond to the third. The formal charge is calculated with the following equation:

Formal charge = (valence electrons) - (1/2 bonding electrons) - (lone electrons)
Formal charge = (5) -(1.2 * 8) - (0)
Formal charge = +1

NO3- as a compound has a formal charge of -1. This is because the oxygen atom in the double bond has a formal charge of 0, and the other two electrons have a formal charge of -1. The total charge is then: 1 + 0 - 1 - 1 = -1.
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