In a molecule of carbon monoxide, what are the formal charges on the two atoms?
Correct answer: C. Carbon= -1, Oxygen= +1
- A. Carbon=0, Oxygen=0
- B. Carbon= +1, Oxygen= -1
- C. Carbon= -1, Oxygen= +1
- D. Carbon=0, Oxygen= -1
Explanation
The major Lewis structure of CO has a triple bond and one lone pair on each atom; formal charge is calculated as valence electrons minus nonbonding electrons minus half the bonding electrons. This gives carbon: 4 - 2 - 3 = -1 and oxygen: 6 - 2 - 3 = +1, so option c is correct; students may choose zero for both by assuming every atom obeying the octet has zero formal charge.
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