What is the formal charge on the carbon atom in the CO₃²- ion in one of its resonance structures?
In one resonance structure of CO₃²-, carbon has 1 double bond (4 electrons) and 2 single bonds (4 electrons). Formal charge = 4 - 0 - 1/2 × 8 = 0. This follows from latest NCERT 2026-27 principle explaining the concept clearly for NEET students in simple steps as per rationalized syllabus.
Ref: NCERT Chemistry Textbook - Latest Edition for Academic Session 2026-27 (Rationalized Textbook for Class XI and XII), Chapter: Electrochemistry (Latest NCERT 2026-27), Topic: Faraday's laws, charge required to reduce Al³⁺, 3F = 3 × 96500 C