What is ozone?
Ozone was recognized as an allotrope of oxygen in 1840. Its name comes from the Greek 'to smell' as it was associated with a strong smell in the air following lightning storms. Its IUPAC name is trioxygen, while the more familiar allotrope of oxygen, O2, is correctly know as dioxygen. Ozone protects us from harmful UV waves that are produced by the sun. It absorbs the energy from the UV light and breaks down into free radicals, which then react with another ozone molecule in an exothermic reaction. The upper part of the stratosphere, known as the ozone layer, contains 90% of the atmospheric ozone, although concentrated less than 10 parts per million.Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen. it is a poisonous gas and dangerous in low concentrations. It is found as a pollutant associated with engine emissions.
In the upper atmosphere ozone is continually being formed and depleted. In doing so ozone is responsible for absorbing a great deal of the suns harmful ultra violet radiation which would otherwise make life on Earth impossible. The process also helps to warm the upper atmosphere.
The cycle of formation and depletion can be and has been disrupted by man made pollutants in the upper atmosphere, in particular CFCs and Nitrogen oxide. The has lead to the formation of the “ozone hole” over the south pole and more recently the north pole. this lowered ozone allows dangerous UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.
In the upper atmosphere ozone is continually being formed and depleted. In doing so ozone is responsible for absorbing a great deal of the suns harmful ultra violet radiation which would otherwise make life on Earth impossible. The process also helps to warm the upper atmosphere.
The cycle of formation and depletion can be and has been disrupted by man made pollutants in the upper atmosphere, in particular CFCs and Nitrogen oxide. The has lead to the formation of the “ozone hole” over the south pole and more recently the north pole. this lowered ozone allows dangerous UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.