What is ozone composed of?

Ozone is a molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms, which distinguishes it from the more common diatomic oxygen (O2) that we breathe. The three atoms are bonded together in a way that gives ozone a distinct chemical and physical property.

Ozone occurs naturally in the Earth's stratosphere, where it plays a critical role in absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, thereby protecting living organisms on the planet. The formation of ozone occurs through a photochemical reaction where diatomic oxygen is energized by ultraviolet light, resulting in the recombination of oxygen molecules into ozone.

This structure and formation of ozone is pivotal in understanding its function in both environmental science and HVAC applications, particularly concerning indoor air quality and the use of refrigerants that may impact the ozone layer.