Final answer:
In general, it is better to have a negative formal charge on the more electronegative element due to electronegativity and stability considerations in Lewis structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, it is better to have a negative formal charge on the more electronegative element. This is because electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. The more electronegative an element is, the more it pulls the shared electrons towards itself, resulting in a partial negative charge.
When drawing Lewis structures, it is preferred to distribute formal charges in a way that minimizes their magnitude and places negative formal charges on the more electronegative elements. This arrangement is more stable and consistent with the trends of electronegativity.
For example, in the Lewis structure of HCl, the chlorine atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atom. Thus, it is better to have a negative formal charge on chlorine rather than hydrogen in order to minimize the formal charges and be consistent with the electronegativity trend.