What is the electron pair geometry of ozone (O_3)?

• A. Linear
• B. Trigonal planar
• C. Bent
• D. Tetrahedral

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Draw the Lewis structure of ozone (O\_3). Ozone has 18 valence electrons (6 from each oxygen atom). Arrange the atoms with one oxygen in the center and the other two on the sides.
2. Step 2: Distribute the electrons to satisfy the octet rule for each oxygen atom. Place double bonds and lone pairs accordingly. Ozone has a resonance structure with one double bond and one single bond between the central oxygen and the terminal oxygens, and lone pairs on the atoms.
3. Step 3: Count the regions of electron density (bonding and lone pairs) around the central oxygen atom. Each bond (single or double) counts as one region, and each lone pair counts as one region.
4. Step 4: Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to determine the electron pair geometry based on the number of electron density regions. For ozone, there are three regions of electron density around the central atom.
5. Step 5: Recognize that three regions of electron density correspond to a trigonal planar electron pair geometry, even though the molecular shape is bent due to the presence of lone pairs.