Ozone : Bent Molecular Geometry

In this example, O₃, the Lewis diagram shows O at the center with one lone electron pair and two other oxygen atoms attached. This shows trigonal planar for the electron pair geometry and and bent the molecular geometry. The one lone electron pair exerts a little extra repulsion on the two bonding oxygen atoms to create a slight compression to a 116^obond angle from the ideal of 120^o. Compare it to the beryllium hydride (BeH₂) which has 2 hydrogen atoms and no lone electron pairs. Ozone is a protective molecule by absorbing UV radiation when high in the stratosphere. However when close to the surface, ozone is produced as part of photochemical smog air pollution and is a powerful lung irritant.