Question

Write a short note on ozone and ozone layer.

Answer 1

Instructions: Define ozone, its formation, its uses etc.

Solution:
Ozone is a special kind of oxygen molecule. Normal oxygen molecules (O2) have two oxygen atoms. Whereas ozone molecules (O3) have three oxygen atoms.

The oxygen molecules rising from the lower atmosphere interact with ultraviolet rays coming from the Sun in the upper layers of the atmosphere. These UV rays break O2 found in the upper atmosphere into single molecules.

Single O atoms react with dioxygen, that is O2 molecules, to form trioxygen molecules which are known as ozone. Several such O3 molecules come together to form a layer in the stratosphere that is known as the ozone layer. The ozone layer in the stratosphere serves as a lifesaver for the living beings on Earth as it blocks the harmful rays coming from the Sun from entering the Earth.