Ozone is a triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms (O$_3$). It plays a crucial role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the Earth's stratosphere.
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Ozone is formed when dioxygen (O$_2$) molecules are broken down by ultraviolet light or electrical discharges and recombine with other O$_2$ molecules.
Ozone is both beneficial and harmful: it protects life on Earth from UV radiation in the stratosphere but is a pollutant at ground level.
In industrial settings, ozone can be generated by passing oxygen through a high-voltage electric field or using ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone reacts readily with many substances, making it a powerful oxidizing agent used in water purification and bleaching processes.
The concentration of ozone is measured in Dobson Units when discussing its presence in the stratosphere.
Review Questions
What are the two primary methods by which ozone is formed?
In which layer of the atmosphere does ozone provide protection against ultraviolet radiation?
What industrial applications utilize ozone due to its strong oxidizing properties?
Related terms
Oxygen: A diatomic molecule (O$_2$) essential for respiration and combustion.
Ultraviolet Radiation: A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light, capable of breaking molecular bonds.
Oxidizing Agent: A substance that gains electrons in a chemical reaction and, in doing so, causes another substance to be oxidized.