In ozone (O ), the central oxygen atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms. The structure of ozone involves resonance, with one structure showing a double bond between the central oxygen and one oxygen atom and a single bond between the central oxygen and the other oxygen atom. To calculate the formal charge on the central oxygen, we use the formal charge formula: where:
is the number of valence electrons of the atom.
is the number of non-bonding electrons on the atom.
is the number of electrons shared in bonds with adjacent atoms. For the central oxygen in ozone:
Valence electrons of oxygen = 6 (since oxygen is in group 16).
The central oxygen has one lone pair (2 electrons) and is involved in two bonds, each with 2 electrons (totaling 4 electrons in bonds). So the formal charge is: Thus, the formal charge on the central oxygen atom is +1.
The correct option is (A): +1