Question

Select all of the below statements that accurately describe the proper Lewis structure for CH3​

The formal charge on carbon is zero.
The overall charge of the molecule is zero.
The formal charge on each hydrogen atom is +1.
The formal charge on oxygen is −1.

Answer 1

The proper Lewis structure for CH3 is a central carbon atom bonded to 3 oxygen atoms, each with 3 lone pairs of electrons. The structure with negative formal charges on more electronegative atoms is preferable.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper Lewis structure for CH3 is as follows:

• There is a central carbon atom bonded to 3 oxygen atoms. Each oxygen has 3 lone pairs of electrons. The molecule has a charge of -2 and is placed inside square brackets.
  
• The structure with the negative formal charges on the more electronegative atoms is preferable when choosing among several Lewis structures with similar distributions of formal charges.