How was the ozone layer formed? What is it comprised of?
1 Answer
The high energy ultraviolet light waves (photons) break up
Explanation:
Atmospheric Oxygen is found in a normal staple diatomic molecule
The split can leave one Oxygen atom with a charge of -2
This Oxygen ion would have an electron configuration of
The ion with a charge of +2 needs more electrons. When the charged ion collides with a diatomic Oxygen molecule the ion will take electrons from the neutral molecule combining with the molecule. This forms a new very unstable molecule of
These chemical reactions are very important to life on earth. If the ozone did not exists absorbing the high energy ultraviolet photons the high energy photons would reach the surface of the earth causing damage to living organisms.