Answer :
Final answer:
The formal charge of nitrogen in the ammonium ion (NH4+) is +1. This shows that the positive charge is located on the nitrogen atom, while each hydrogen atom has a formal charge of 0. This information is critical for understanding the behavior of ammonium in chemical reactions.
Explanation:
Understanding Formal Charge in Ammonium Ion
The ammonium ion (NH4+) consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. To determine the formal charge of the nitrogen in this ion, we can use the formal charge formula:
Formal Charge = Valence Electrons - (Nonbonding Electrons + 1/2 Bonding Electrons)
For nitrogen:
- Valence Electrons = 5
- Nonbonding Electrons = 0 (since all are shared with hydrogen)
- Bonding Electrons = 8 (four bonds with hydrogen, each sharing 2 electrons)
Plugging in these values:
Formal Charge(N) = 5 - (0 + 1/2 * 8) = 5 - 4 = +1
Thus, the formal charge of the nitrogen atom in the ammonium ion is +1. Each hydrogen atom has a formal charge of 0, resulting in the overall charge of +1 for the ammonium ion, consistent with its ionic state.
Conclusion
In summary, the formal charge on nitrogen in NH4+ is +1, indicating that the positive charge is localized on the nitrogen atom.
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