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JEE Main Chemistry Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure 2026 JEE Main 2026 (22 January Shift 1)

JEE Main Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Question

The formal charges on the atoms marked as (1) to (4) in the Lewis representation of HNO _ 3 molecule respectively are

Options

  1. A. 0,0,-1,+1
  2. B. 0,-1,0,+1
  3. C. +1,0,0,-1
  4. D. 0,+1,0,-1

Answer

D. 0,+1,0,-1

Step-by-step solution

The formal charge (F.C.) of an atom in a Lewis structure is calculated using the formula: F.C. = [Total valence electrons] - [Total non-bonding (lone pair) electrons] - 1 2 [Total bonding (shared) electrons] For atom (1) Oxygen: Valence e^- = 6, Lone pair e^- = 4, Bonding e^- = 4. F.C. = 6 - 4 - 1 2 (4) = 0 For atom (2) Nitrogen: Valence e^- = 5, Lone pair e^- = 0, Bonding e^- = 8. F.C. = 5 - 0 - 1 2 (8) = +1 For atom (3) Oxygen: Valence e^- = 6, Lone pair e^- = 4, Bonding e^- = 4. F.C. = 6 - 4 - 1 2 (4) = 0 For atom (4) Oxygen: Valence e^- = 6, Lone pair e^- = 6, Bonding e^- = 2. F.C. = 6 - 6 - 1 2 (2) = -1 The formal charges are 0, +1, 0, -1 respectively.

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