In the resonance structure of sulfur dioxide, the sulfur atom has one single bond and one double bond. What is the formal charge of this sulfur atom?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formal charge is calculated as: (Valence electrons of sulfur) - (Non-bonding electrons) - (Bonding electrons/2). For sulfur in SO2, it has 6 valence electrons, 2 non-bonding electrons, and 6 bonding electrons (4 from the double bond and 2 from the single bond). Thus, the formal charge is 6 - 2 - 6/2 = +1.

In the Resonance Structure of Sulfur Dioxide, the Sulfur Atom