Final answer:
The charge on the ammonium ion NH₄⁺ is +1, as calculated by evaluating the formal charges on its constituent atoms using their valence electrons and Lewis structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks to determine the charge on an unknown ion in the form NH₄⁺. To address this, we must understand the concept of formal charges in ionic compounds. The ammonium ion, NH₄⁺, typically carries a positive one charge (+1) because it is formed when a neutral ammonia molecule (NH₃) accepts an additional proton (H+).
To calculate formal charges, we employ a strategy where we:
- Identify the number of valence electrons in each atom in the molecule.
- Use the Lewis electron structure to distinguish between bonding and nonbonding electrons.
- Apply the relevant equation to determine formal charges on the atoms.
Applying this strategy to NH₄⁺ would show that the nitrogen atom shares its five valence electrons with four hydrogens, resulting in no remaining nonbonding electrons on nitrogen, and each hydrogen has one bond and no nonbonding electrons. As a result, the overall charge of the ammonium ion is +1.