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Chapter 49: Problem 1

Which is the better representation of the actual charge on an atom in a moleculethe formal charge; the partial charge; the oxidation state? Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The partial charge is a better representation of the actual charge on an atom in a molecule as it reflects the real-life charge distribution due to differences in electronegativity of bonded atoms.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Formal Charge

Formal charge is the theoretical charge on an atom in a molecule if all the atoms in the molecule had the same electronegativity. It is useful in drawing Lewis structures and predicting the most likely structure for a molecule.
02

Understanding Partial Charge

Partial charge is the actual electron distribution in a molecule that arises due to differences in electronegativity of the bonded atoms. This type of charge leads to a dipole moment in polar molecules.
03

Understanding Oxidation State

Oxidation state is an assigned charge that an atom would have if all shared electrons in a molecule or ion were completely transferred to the most electronegative atom. It is useful in balancing redox reactions.
04

Comparing The Charges

Formal charge and oxidation state are bookkeeping systems and do not represent the actual charge of an atom in a molecule. However, the partial charge depicts the real life charge distribution on an atom in a molecule due to differences in electronegativity.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Is a species that has an atom for which there is an increase in oxidation number oxidized or reduced? Is that species the oxidizing agent or the reducing agent?

Describe, in grammatically correct English sentences, how one can determine whether or not a reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction.

In which of the following are the oxidation number and the partial charge the same number? \(\mathrm{MgO} ; \mathrm{CO}_{2} ; \mathrm{NaF} ; \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} ; \mathrm{CCl}_{4} ; \mathrm{NiCl}_{2}\).
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