What is the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom in the nitrate ion ()?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. +1

  1. Step 1: Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. In the Lewis structure of , nitrogen forms one double bond and two single bonds (total 4 shared pairs) with zero lone pairs. Step 2. Formal charge . Answer: +1. Why not the others: The three oxygens have formal charges of , summing to .

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