How is ozone made in the atmosphere?

1 Answer
James J.
Sep 16, 2017

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun interacting with oxygen molecules.

Explanation:

Molecular oxygen contains 2 atoms. When they are struck by ultraviolet light from the sun they will split into individual atoms. When one of those individual atoms joins with a oxygen molecule (2 oxygen atoms) you get ozone, or #O_3# . That ozone molecule can now absorb ultraviolet light and disassociate again.

There is a little more going on but I think this should answer your question.

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