Question

Why is the ozone molecule non-polar?

Answer 1

In fact a formal representation of the ozone molecule would show polarity...........

Explanation:

In fact a formal representation of the ozone molecule would show bond polarity, i.e. charge separation. This is illustrated by simple Lewis structures, electron counting schemes, of the trioxygen molecule, which depict a `O=O^(+)-O^(-)`, which formal representation suggests a bent, neutral structure, a `/_O-O-O` of approx. `120^@`, which are confirmed experimentally.

Of course the terminal oxygen atoms of the molecule are equivalent experimentally, which is also strongly suggested by the Lewis structure: there is little difference between `O=O^(+)-O^(-)`, and `""^(-)O-O^(+)=O`.