The incorrect statement regarding structure of ozone

Options

A. The two oxygen-oxygen bond length in ozone are identical
B. It is linear
C. Bond angle is less than `120^(@)`
D. Both 2 and 3

Answer

To determine the incorrect statement regarding the structure of ozone (O3), let's analyze each option step by step.

### Step 1: Analyze the Structure of Ozone
Ozone (O3) consists of three oxygen atoms. The structure can be represented as:
- One oxygen atom is double bonded to another oxygen atom.
- The second oxygen atom is single bonded to a third oxygen atom.
- The molecule has resonance structures due to the delocalization of electrons.

### Step 2: Evaluate Each Statement
1. **Statement 1**: "The two oxygen-oxygen bond lengths in ozone are identical."
- **Evaluation**: This statement is **correct**. Due to resonance, the bond lengths between the oxygen atoms in ozone are indeed identical.

2. **Statement 2**: "It is linear."
- **Evaluation**: This statement is **incorrect**. The structure of ozone is bent, not linear. The presence of lone pairs on the central oxygen atom causes this bent shape.

3. **Statement 3**: "Bond angle is less than 120 degrees."
- **Evaluation**: This statement is **correct**. The bond angle in ozone is indeed less than 120 degrees due to the repulsion between lone pairs.

4. **Statement 4**: "Both 2 and 3."
- **Evaluation**: Since statement 2 is incorrect and statement 3 is correct, this option is also incorrect.

### Conclusion
The incorrect statement regarding the structure of ozone is **Option 2: "It is linear."**

### Summary of the Steps:
1. Analyze the structure of ozone.
2. Evaluate the correctness of each statement regarding ozone's structure.
3. Identify the incorrect statement.