From the diagrams I've seen $\ce{HNO3}$ has a dative covalent bond so why doesn't it have a positive charge?
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$\begingroup$ Do you mean an overall positive change or a positive charge on the nitrogen atom? $\endgroup$ – DavePhD Dec 14 '14 at 16:44
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$\begingroup$ Wouldn't a positive charge on the nitrogen cause an overall charge on the molecule? $\endgroup$ – user58953 Dec 14 '14 at 17:03
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1$\begingroup$ Not necessarily, see the nitro group. $\endgroup$ – Dissenter Dec 14 '14 at 17:05
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One side of the $\ce{HNO3}$ molecule does have a positive charge, but this is neutralized by the negative charge resulting from the Oxygen atom with only one bond to the nitrogen. These charges cancel leaving an overall neutral molecule.
