The Formal Charge of an Atom in a Lewis Structure

Multiple Choice

The formal charge of an atom in a Lewis structure is defined as ________

A) the difference between the number of bonding electrons and nonbonding electrons assigned to an atom.
B) the difference between the number of valence electrons in a free atom and the total number of valence electrons in the molecule.
C) the difference between the number of valence electrons in a free atom and the number of electrons assigned to it in a Lewis structure.
D) the difference between the number of valence electrons in a free atom and the number of bonding electrons assigned to it.
E) the difference between the number of valence electrons in a free atom and the number of nonbonding electrons assigned to it.