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Two Lewis structures both look plausible for one molecule. A chemist decides between them by calculating the:
AMolar mass
BFormal charge
CBoiling point
DMelting point
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Formal charge
1. Each atom is assigned the electrons it would own in that arrangement.
2. Comparing those assignments shows which structure spreads charge most sensibly.
3. That calculation is the formal charge.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e, Chapter 7, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry._
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