1. Understand Formal Charge
Formal charge is a way to track the distribution of electrons in a molecule or ion. It's calculated as:
Formal Charge = (Valence Electrons) - (Non-bonding Electrons) - (1/2 Bonding Electrons)
2. Analyze the Ammonium Ion (NH₄⁺)
* Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
* Hydrogen (H): Each hydrogen has 1 valence electron.
* Total Valence Electrons: 5 (N) + 4(H) = 9
* Total Electrons in the Ion: 9 (valence electrons) - 1 (positive charge) = 8
* Bonding Electrons: Nitrogen forms four single bonds with the hydrogens, contributing 4 bonding electrons.
3. Calculate the Formal Charge of Nitrogen
* Formal Charge (N) = 5 - 0 - (1/2 * 8) = +1
Therefore, the formal charge of the nitrogen atom in the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) is +1.
