Atomic charge

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-000890",
  "term": "Atomic charge",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A calculated value representing the net electric charge associated with a specific atom within a molecule. It is not a physically measurable quantity but is derived from quantum mechanical calculations by partitioning the molecule's total electron density among its constituent atoms. Common methods for calculating atomic charges include the Mulliken population analysis, Bader's Atoms in Molecules (AIM) theory, and electrostatic potential fitting.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "atomic number",
    "basis set",
    "electron density",
    "molecular orbital",
    "overlap integral"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1924 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/atomic-charge/"
}