Final answer:
Neon, as a noble gas in its elemental form, does not typically form bonds and therefore has a formal charge of zero since it has a complete outer shell of electrons and is neutral.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether neon has a formal charge of zero. In chemistry, a formal charge is assigned to atoms within molecules or ions, indicating the hypothetical charge the atom would have if all bonding electrons were shared equally between atoms.
Neon, being a noble gas, is in its elemental form and not part of a molecule or ion, thus it typically does not form bonds. Therefore, neon in its most stable and common form, as a noble gas atom, has a formal charge of zero. This is because neutral neon atoms have a complete outer shell and do not typically engage in bonding with other atoms.
It's important to note, however, that in hypothetical or highly unusual situations where neon might be part of a compound, determining its formal charge would involve analyzing its specific bonding situation. But such compounds are rare and unstable. For standard purposes and in the majority of contexts, neon has a formal charge of zero.