👉 Ozone (O₃) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, and its behavior in the atmosphere can be described using the ozone math, which involves understanding its formation, breakdown, and the balance between these processes. Ozone is primarily formed in the stratosphere through the photodissociation of molecular oxygen (O₂) by ultraviolet radiation, producing atomic oxygen (O), which then combines with another O₂ molecule to form O₃. However, ozone is also unstable and can be broken down by ultraviolet light or chemical reactions involving other substances like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). The balance between these formation and destruction processes is crucial for maintaining the ozone layer's integrity, which protects life on Earth from harmful UV radiation. The key equation for ozone formation is: O₂ + UV light → 2O; O + O₂ + M → O₃ + M, where M is a third body that doesn't affect the reaction. The concentration of ozone is regulated by the ozone layer's dynamic equilibrium, which is influenced by various factors including human activities and natural processes.
