In: Chemistry
Which is FALSE about formal charges and resonance forms?
1. The sum of the formal charges can vary from one valid resonance structure to another.
2. The formal charge on a given atom need not be the same from one resonance form to another
3. The sum of the formal charges needs to be the same as the overall charge of the molecule/ion.
4. The sum of the formal charges of one resonance structure has to be the same as the sum of formal charges on another resonance structure.
Answer 1. The sum of the formal charges can vary from one valid resonance structure to another.
Because the sum of the formal charges of one resonance structure has to be the same as the sum of formal charges on another resonance structure. But the formal charge on a given atom need not be the same from one resonance form to another. In total thethe sum of the formal charges needs to be the same as the overall charge of the molecule/ion.