In each of the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed by a corresponding statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct answer as:

Assertion (A): Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent in comparison to O₂.

Reason (R):  Ozone is diamagnetic but O₂ is paramagnetic .

If both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

The correct answer is option 2. If both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent because it decomposes readily under normal conditions and forms nascent oxygen which is a very reactive radical and is responsible for oxidation of a number of substances.

O₂ is paramagnetic due to the presence of two unpaired electrons, while O3 is diamagnetic.

The molecular orbital electronic configuration of O₂ is :

σ1s² σ*1s² σ2s² σ*2s² σ2pz² \(\pi2p_x\)² \(\pi2p_y\)² \(\pi \)*2p_x¹\(\pi \)*2p_y¹

However, while both statements are true, the reason provided (R) does not directly explain why ozone is a more powerful oxidizing agent than \(O_2\). The oxidizing power of ozone primarily arises from its ability to readily donate oxygen atoms, not solely from its diamagnetic nature.

Therefore, option 2 is correct: If both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.