Question

Choose the incorrect statement from the following.

• A. Ozone is a molecule formed by three atoms of Oxygen.
• B. Ozone shields the surface of the Earth from ultraviolet radiation.
• C. Ozone is deadly poisonous.
• D. Ozone gets decomposed by UV radiation.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Ozone gets decomposed by UV radiation.

The explanation for the incorrect option:

Option (D): Ozone gets decomposed by UV radiation.

1. Ozone, or ${\mathrm{O}}_3$, is an unstable blue diamagnetic gas with a pungent smell that protects the earth and its inhabitants from the sun's severe UV radiation.
2. Photochemical interactions between nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the lower atmosphere can produce ozone in concentrations high enough to irritate the eyes and mucous membranes under certain circumstances.
3. Its decomposition is catalyzed by the chlorine atom because chlorine atoms are formed in the upper atmosphere when ultraviolet radiation causes$\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{Cl}$ bonds in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to break. $\underset{\mathrm{Chlorine}}{\mathrm{Cl}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Ozone}}{{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Hypochlorite}}{\mathrm{ClO}}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$
4. The decomposition of ozone is catalyzed by chlorine atoms, which contributes to the formation of a hole in the ozone layer.
5. Hence, it is an incorrect statement

The explanation for the correct option:

Option (A): Ozone is a molecule formed by three atoms of oxygen.

1. Ozone is an unstable gas with a strong smell and helps to protect the earth from UV radiation.
2. It is an allotropic molecular form of oxygen that consists of three oxygen atoms. The formation of ozone ${\mathrm{O}}_3$ occurs when oxygen ${\mathrm{O}}_2$ passes through a high voltage potential, resulting in the formation of a third oxygen atom.
3. Hence, it is the correct statement.

Option (B): Ozone shields the surface of the earth from Ultraviolet radiation.

1. Ozone, or ${\mathrm{O}}_3$, is an unstable blue diamagnetic gas with a pungent smell.
2. UV-B energy from the sun is absorbed by ozone. When UV-B absorbs an ozone molecule, it splits into an oxygen molecule and a single oxygen atom.
3. The ozone layer prevents harmful levels of UV-B from reaching the Earth's surface by absorbing it in the stratosphere.
4. Hence, it is the correct option.

Option (C): Ozone is deadly poisonous.

1. Three oxygen molecules bond to generate the ozone molecule (${\mathrm{O}}_3$). It is a blue color gas with a pungent smell.
2. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that can mix with air to produce Nitrogen dioxide, a toxic air pollutant for humans.$\underset{\mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{monoixde}}{\mathrm{NO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{ozone}}{{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Nitrogendioxide}}{{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$
3. Hence, it is the correct statement.

Therefore, Ozone gets decomposed by UV radiation is an incorrect statement.