JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Ozone.

Find: The total number of lone pairs of electrons on oxygen atoms.

The solution states that the correct answer is $6$.

From the shown structure, the total number of lone pairs on the oxygen atoms is $6$.

Therefore, the required numerical value is $6$.

Common mistakes

• Counting bonding electron pairs as lone pairs is incorrect because shared pairs in the bonds are not non-bonding electrons. Count only the isolated electron pairs shown on the oxygen atoms.

• Ignoring the central oxygen atom is incorrect because lone pairs on all oxygen atoms of ozone must be included. Add the lone pairs on each of the three oxygen atoms.