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What is the formal charge of each atom in the CH3COOH molecule? Show your calculation and explain the significance of the formal charges in this molecule.

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To calculate the formal charge of each atom in the CH3COOH molecule, we can use the formula:Formal charge =  Valence electrons  -  Non-bonding electrons  -  1/2  Bonding electrons The CH3COOH molecule can be represented as CH3-COOH. Let's break it down into individual atoms and calculate their formal charges:1. Carbon  C1  in CH3:Valence electrons: 4  for carbon Non-bonding electrons: 0  all electrons are involved in bonding Bonding electrons: 8  4 single bonds with 3 hydrogens and 1 carbon Formal charge = 4 - 0 -  1/2  8  = 4 - 4 = 02. Hydrogen  H  in CH3:Valence electrons: 1  for hydrogen Non-bonding electrons: 0  all electrons are involved in bonding Bonding electrons: 2  1 single bond with carbon Formal charge = 1 - 0 -  1/2  2  = 1 - 1 = 03. Carbon  C2  in COOH:Valence electrons: 4  for carbon Non-bonding electrons: 0  all electrons are involved in bonding Bonding electrons: 8  1 single bond with C1, 1 single bond with O, and 1 double bond with O Formal charge = 4 - 0 -  1/2  8  = 4 - 4 = 04. Oxygen  O1  in COOH with single bond:Valence electrons: 6  for oxygen Non-bonding electrons: 4  2 lone pairs Bonding electrons: 2  1 single bond with C2 Formal charge = 6 - 4 -  1/2  2  = 6 - 4 - 1 = 15. Oxygen  O2  in COOH with double bond:Valence electrons: 6  for oxygen Non-bonding electrons: 4  2 lone pairs Bonding electrons: 4  1 double bond with C2 Formal charge = 6 - 4 -  1/2  4  = 6 - 4 - 2 = 06. Hydrogen  H  in COOH:Valence electrons: 1  for hydrogen Non-bonding electrons: 0  all electrons are involved in bonding Bonding electrons: 2  1 single bond with O1 Formal charge = 1 - 0 -  1/2  2  = 1 - 1 = 0So, the formal charges of the atoms in the CH3COOH molecule are:C1: 0H  in CH3 : 0C2: 0O1  single bond : +1O2  double bond : 0H  in COOH : 0The significance of the formal charges in this molecule is that they help to determine the stability and reactivity of the molecule. In this case, the oxygen atom with a formal charge of +1 indicates that it is more reactive and can participate in chemical reactions, such as donating a proton  H+  in acidic conditions. This is consistent with the acidic nature of acetic acid  CH3COOH .
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