Question

when the oxygen molecules interact with UV radiations, then 3 oxygen atoms are formed. Explain How? Oxgen molecule has only 2 atoms of oxygen in it?.

Further explain how when the oxygen molecule is divided into 3 atoms of O ,then after reacting with O_{2 ozone is formed?}

Answer 1

Molecular oxygen (O₂) breaks into two atomic oxygen (O) in presence of ultra-violet rays. Atomic oxygen reacts with O₂ to form ozone (O₃). When O₃ reacts with atomic oxygen, O₂ is formed. This break down of O₃ happen in presence of certain free radicals such as nitric oxide, chlorine atom, hydroxyl etc.