What is the formal charge on the hydrogen atom in hf?

The formal charge of H = + 1, because F in compounds can have only - 1.

The formal charge on H atom in HF = 0

Explanation:

Formal charge is the charge on an atom when all the chemical bonds that are formed by that atom are formed by equal sharing of electrons.

The formal charge of an atom is given by the equation:

Formal charge = [Total number of valence electrons in the ground state (n) ] - [Number of non-bonding valence electrons on atom in a molecule (N) ] - [Number of shared or bonding electrons (B) : 2]

To find out the formal charge on hydrogen (H) atom in H-F molecule:

For H atom in ground state: n = 1

For H atom in H-F molecule: N = 0 and B = 2

Since, Formal charge = n - N - (B : 2)

So, The formal charge on H atom in HF = 1 - 0 - (2: 2) = 1 - 1 = 0

Therefore, the formal charge on H atom in HF = 0