Question

Explain why ozone is thermodynamically less stable than oxygen?

Answer 1

Reason for: Ozone is thermodynamically less stable than oxygen

• Ozone (${\mathrm{O}}_3$) is thermodynamically less stable than oxygen.
• Because it decomposes into oxygen.
• This decomposition results in the liberation of heat which in turn results in a negative value of enthalpy ($∆\mathrm{H}$ becomes negative)
• Also an increase in entropy which in turn results in a positive value of entropy ($∆\mathrm{S}$ becomes positive).
• These two effects reinforce each other.
• Thus resulting in a large negative Gibbs energy change ($∆\mathrm{G}$) for the conversion of ozone into oxygen.

Hence, due to the conversion of ozone to oxygen, the ozone is thermodynamically less stable than oxygen.