Why is the ozone molecule non-polar?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 6, 2016

In fact a formal representation of the ozone molecule would show polarity...........

Explanation:

In fact a formal representation of the ozone molecule would show bond polarity, i.e. charge separation. This is illustrated by simple Lewis structures, electron counting schemes, of the trioxygen molecule, which depict a #O=O^(+)-O^(-)#, which formal representation suggests a bent, neutral structure, a #/_O-O-O# of approx. #120^@#, which are confirmed experimentally.

Of course the terminal oxygen atoms of the molecule are equivalent experimentally, which is also strongly suggested by the Lewis structure: there is little difference between #O=O^(+)-O^(-)#, and #""^(-)O-O^(+)=O#.

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