Question

Complete the equation for the decomposition of ozone.
${O_3} \to $

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen and prevents the Earth’s surface from excessive exposure of UV radiations. It is thermodynamically unstable and hence its decomposition is very exothermic in nature.

Complete Step by step answer: Ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen that prevents the surface of earth from excessive exposure of UV radiations. It is pale, blue gas, dark blue liquid and violet black solid which cannot remain in the atmosphere at sea level as it is too reactive. It is formed from the atmospheric oxygen in the presence of sunlight.
During the decomposition of ozone, two molecules of ozone get converted to three molecules of oxygen and liberation of heat takes place. This reaction is an exothermic reaction meaning that products formed are energetically more stable than the reactant.
Therefore, we can represent the equation as:

$2{O_3} \to 3{O_2}$.

Ozone also decomposes in water and even faster than the air because the half-life of ozone in water is much shorter. It decomposes in hydroxyl radicals, when the pH increases the hydroxide ion formation also increases which will act as initiators for ozone decomposition.
Ozone can also react with a variety of organic compounds, viruses, bacteria etc and thus decomposes to other matters.

Note: Due to the ease to release oxygen ozone acts as a strong oxidising agent and results into ${O_3} \to {O_2} + O$. Nitrogen oxides which are emitted from the exhaust system of supersonic jet aeroplanes might slowly deplete the concentration of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. Use of Freon which are used in aerosol sprays and as refrigerants can also damage the ozone layer.