Anil says that ozone and the oxygen we breathe are the same gas…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Anil says that ozone and the oxygen we breathe are the same gas. Explain how they differ, and write the two steps by which ozone forms high in the atmosphere.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Ozone, , forms high in the atmosphere: UV light splits into two atoms, and each atom joins an to form . The ozone layer absorbs most UV radiation, which can cause skin cancer. CFCs from refrigerants and fire extinguishers thinned it; a UNEP agreement of 1987 froze CFC production.
The worked solution
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Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The difference. Oxygen gas is , two atoms; ozone is , three atoms. Ozone is a poison near the ground but protects us high up.
Step 2. The first step. UV light splits an oxygen molecule: .
Step 3. The second step. Each atom joins an oxygen molecule: .
Answer: they are different molecules, and ; ozone forms when UV splits and each atom joins another .
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