In the phosphate ion (), what is the calculated formal charge on each oxygen atom and the fractional — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question
Question
In the phosphate ion ($PO_4^{3-}$), what is the calculated formal charge on each oxygen atom and the fractional $P-O$ bond order, respectively, considering its resonance hybrid?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
The $PO_4^{3-}$ ion forms 5 total bonds (one double, three single) resonating over 4 equivalent oxygen atoms. Average Bond Order = $5/4 = 1.25$. The total charge of -3 is distributed over 4 oxygens, giving an average formal charge of $-3/4 = -0.75$.
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