Final answer:
Lewis structures can have different formal charges. The most stable Lewis structure can be determined by considering the formal charges on the atoms. The formal charge is calculated by subtracting the number of lone pair electrons and half the number of bonding electrons from the number of valence electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Lewis structures, the formal charge of an atom is calculated by subtracting the number of lone pair electrons and half the number of bonding electrons from the number of valence electrons. The formula to calculate formal charge is:
Formal Charge = Valence Electrons - Lone Pair Electrons - 1/2 * Bonding Electrons
For example, in the Lewis structure of ammonia (NH3), the nitrogen atom has a formal charge of 0 because it has 5 valence electrons and is bonded to three hydrogens. Each hydrogen atom has a formal charge of 0 because they have 1 valence electron and are bonded to the nitrogen atom.