Question

In the chloromethane molecule CHCl3, the partial charge on the H atom is +0.16 and the partial charge on each Cl atom is -0.04, what is the partial charge on C?

Answer 1

The overall molecule is neutral so all the partial charges have to add up to 0

You have +0.16 from the H
And -0.04 for each Cl atom —> 3(-0.04)

Therefore

0.16 + 3(-0.04) + C = 0 and you can solve for C