MHT CET202618 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureActual
What is formal charge on sulphur in sulphuric acid molecule?
Options
- A-2
- B+2
- C-1
- D0
Correct answer
D. 0
Step-by-step solution
The most stable Lewis structure of sulphuric acid ( H₂SO₄ ) minimizes the formal charge by expanding the octet of the central sulphur atom. In this structure, sulphur forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms and two single bonds with two hydroxyl ( -OH ) groups. The formula for formal charge is: Formal charge = (Valence electrons) - (Non-bonding electrons) - 1 2 (Bonding electrons) For the sulphur atom in H₂SO₄ : Number of valence electrons = 6 Number of non-bonding electrons = 0 Number of bonding electrons = 1