What is Ozone? Understanding The Ozone molecule (O₃)

What is the Ozone molecule? Ozone an inorganic molecule is also known as trioxygen whose chemical formula is (O₃). Ozone is a blue gas with a strong odor.

The introduction of Ozone Molecule

The molecular structure of the ozone was set down in 1872. Ozone is an unstable and poisonous irritant, light blue gas except at low concentrations. It exists naturally in tiny quantities in the Earth’s stratosphere, where it consumes ultraviolet solar radiation which may otherwise inflict significant harm to the surface of the Earth’s living organisms.

The Ozone molecule (O₃)
The Ozone molecule (O₃)

Ozone Molecular structure

Ozone is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen. A triatomic allotrope is a source of oxygen in which the molecule comprises three rather than two atoms as in the typical form. This is allotrope is much less stable than oxygen’s another allotrope, diatomic allotrope O₂. Ozone breaks down to O₂ or dioxygen in the lower atmosphere. The volatility of ozone with regard to more typical dioxygen is such that both compressed gas and liquid ozone may decompose explosively at higher temperatures or rapid heating to the boiling point. Thus, it is used commercially only at low levels.

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What are Adsorption and Absorption ?

How ozone can be manufactured

Ozone is typically produced by transferring electric discharge into oxygen or dry air current. The subsequent ozone and original gas mixtures are ideal for most industrial applications, while purer ozone can be obtained from them by different methods. The oxygen-ozone mixture splits into two layers after liquefaction, of which the denser one comprises around 75 percent ozone. The intense volatility and reactivity of condensed ozone make it both challenging and harmful for its preparation.

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Ozone Characteristics

  • Compared to Oxygen Ozone is 1.5 times denser.
  • It condenses to a deep blue liquid at -112 ° C or -170 ° F.
  • At -251.4° C or -420° F Ozone freezes.
  • Ozone quickly breaks down at temperatures beyond 100 ° C or 212 ° F.
  • While in many ways it resembles oxygen, ozone is far more reactive.
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Uses of the Ozone molecule

Ozone is a powerful active oxidant and has much oxidation-related manufacturing and market uses.
Helps convert alkene into carboxylic acids (R–COOH where R referring to alkyl group), ketones (CH3CCH3), or aldehydes (-CHO).
Ozone can decolor many substances and is thus commercially used as a bleaching agent for organic compounds
It is used as a potent germicide to disinfect drinking water
And above all, it is present in Ozone Layer in Eath’s Upper atmosphere to prevent ultraviolet rays from the Sun. Which is harmful to living beings.

What is Ozone Layer? The Saviour of Life on Earth

Hazardous Aspects of Ozone Molecule

Nonetheless, this high oxidizing capacity induces ozone damage to mucous and respiratory tissues in animals and even plant tissues at concentrations of about 0.1 ppm. This makes ozone a powerful respiratory threat and high ground-level pollutant.

For detail study on Ozone click here

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