What is the formula for calculating formal charge? Chemistry Matter Net Charge 1 Answer anor277 Jun 5, 2016 Formal charge is the charge left on the central atom when all the bonding electrons have been removed given a specific protocol. Explanation: See here, and here. The charge on nitrogen in nitric acid is a good example.. Answer link Related questions What determines if an atom is electrically charged or electrically neutral? What is the law of conservation of electric charge? Can a polarized object have a net charge of zero? What is the SI unit of electric charge? What is the elementary charge? What does it mean that the electric charge is quantized? Why is the electric charge a fundamental conserved property? How does pH affect net charge? How can I find the net charge of a molecule? How can I calculate the net charge of an ion? See all questions in Net Charge Impact of this question 1735 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License