Chemical BondinghardNUMERICAL

Calculate the sum of the absolute values of the formal charges on all three oxygen atoms in the mostChemical 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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