In the lowest energy Lewis structure of , what is the sum of the absolute values of the formal charg — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the most stable structure of nitric acid, the central N forms 4 bonds and has a $+1$ formal charge, the singly-bonded unprotonated O has a $-1$ formal charge, while the H, OH oxygen, and double-bonded oxygen all have a formal charge of $0$. The sum of the absolute values is $ | +1 | + | -1 | = 2$.