Ozone is a reactive form of oxygen significant for the atmosphere and industrial applications.
Ozone, chemically represented as O₃, is a triatomic form of oxygen that forms a bluish gas under standard conditions, characterized by a distinctive pungent odor. Notably, ozone's high reactivity makes it one of the strongest oxidizing agents, useful in many industrial applications yet potentially dangerous.
Ozone has a molar mass of 48 g/mol and a density of 2.14 g/L at 0 °C. It is more soluble in water than oxygen and appears as a dark solid at temperatures below 80 K. The molecule has a bent structure, with a bond angle of approximately 116.8°. This leads to a polarized structure, resulting in ozone having a dipole moment of 0.53 D. At 0.01 ppm, it can be detected in the air at very low concentrations.
Ozone is primarily formed in the upper atmosphere by UV radiation that splits molecular oxygen (O₂), leading to a reaction that produces ozone. These chemical and physical properties make ozone a significant component of the Earth's atmosphere, both in forming the ozone layer in the stratosphere, where it acts as protection against UV rays, and in ground-level air pollution.
Ozone has applications in water treatment, exhaust gas purification, as well as in the food and pharmaceutical industries; however, its reactive properties pose a health risk, especially in urban areas where it can contribute to smog formation. Therefore, monitoring and controlling ozone levels are critical for air quality management and climate protection.
