Calculate the sum of the absolute values of the formal charges on all three oxygen atoms in the most — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question
Question
Calculate the sum of the absolute values of the formal charges on all three oxygen atoms in the most stable Lewis resonating structure of ozone ($O_3$).
Answer: 2
💡 Solution & Explanation
In ozone ($O=O^+-O^-$), the central oxygen has 3 bonds and 1 lone pair ($FC = 6 - 2 - 3 = +1$). The double-bonded oxygen has 2 bonds and 2 lone pairs ($FC = 6 - 4 - 2 = 0$). The single-bonded oxygen has 1 bond and 3 lone pairs ($FC = 6 - 6 - 1 = -1$). Absolute sum = $ | +1 | + | 0 | + | -1 | = 2$.
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