Yes, ozone (O3) is a polar molecule.
The polarity of ozone arises from its bent molecular geometry and the uneven distribution of electron density. Let's break this down:
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Molecular Geometry: Ozone has a bent or V-shaped molecular geometry. This shape is crucial because if it were linear, the bond dipoles would cancel each other out, resulting in a nonpolar molecule. The bent shape, however, prevents this cancellation.
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Uneven Electron Distribution: Oxygen atoms are highly electronegative. While the bonds between oxygen atoms are covalent, the bent structure results in a net dipole moment. This means there is a slightly negative charge on one end of the molecule and a slightly positive charge on the other.
In summary, the bent molecular geometry of ozone (O3) and the presence of a lone pair of electrons create an asymmetrical distribution of charge, leading to its polar nature.
