Question

What good is `"VSEPR"` in regard to the ozone, `O_3`, molecule?

Answer 1

Well it explains and rationalizes the molecular geometry of ozone.......

Explanation:

The typical Lewis representation of `O_3` depicts charge separation, i.e. there are `3xx6=18*e^-` deriving from the valence electrons of oxygen.

And thus our Lewis structure..........

`O=ddotO^(+)-O^(-)`

Because there are THREE regions of electron density around the central oxygen, the geometry is based upon a trigonal plane. `/_O-O-O=120^@` to a first approx. Because the lone pair of electrons lies CLOSER to the oxygen atom it tends to compress the angle down from `120^@`. The actual `/_O-O-O` angles is about `116.8^@`. The `O-O` bond lengths are equivalent, and `O-O=1.27xx10^-10*m`, intermediate between `O=O` (`1.24xx10^-10*m`) and peroxide (`1.49xx10^-10*m`).