In the Lewis structure for BeCl_2, what is the formal charge on the Be atom?

• A. 0
• B. +2
• C. -1
• D. +1

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the formula for formal charge: \(\text{Formal Charge} = \text{Valence Electrons} - \text{Nonbonding Electrons} - \frac{1}{2} \times \text{Bonding Electrons}\).
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for the Be atom. Beryllium is in group 2, so it has 2 valence electrons.
3. In the Lewis structure of BeCl\(_2\), Be forms two single bonds with two Cl atoms and has no lone pairs. Therefore, the number of nonbonding electrons on Be is 0.
4. Count the bonding electrons around Be. Each single bond has 2 electrons, so Be shares 4 bonding electrons in total.
5. Apply the formal charge formula: subtract the nonbonding electrons and half the bonding electrons from the valence electrons of Be to find its formal charge.