Question

What is the chemical formula structure of ozone?

• A. $O=O^{+}-O^{-}$
• B. $O^{-}-O=O^{+}$
• C. $O=O^{-}-O^{+}$
• D. $O^{-}=O^{+}-O$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $O=O^{+}-O^{-}$

Let us consider the ozone molecule $\left(O_3\right)$. The Lewis structure of $O_3$ may be drawn as:

The atoms have been numbered as 1, 2 and 3. The formal charge on:
The central $O$ atom marked 1 $=6-2-\frac{1}{2}\left(6\right)=+1$
The end $O$ atom marked 2 $=6-4-\frac{1}{2}\left(4\right)=0$
The end $O$ atom marked 3 $=6-6-\frac{1}{2}\left(2\right)=-1$
Hence, we represent $O_3$ along with the formal charges as follows: