What are the formal charges of the atoms SeO3^2- and PF6- What are the formal charges of the atoms SeO3^2- and PF6- Solution Formal charge = V.E. - 2×LP - Number of bonds Where ,V.E. = valence electron LP = Lone pair Formal charge of each element(by above formula) Se = 6-2-4 =0 O 1 = 6-4-2 =0 O 2 = 6-6-1 = -1 O 3 = 6-6-1 = -1 In (PF 6 ) -1 P = 5-0-6 = -1 And each , F = 7-6-1 =0 .