Ozone molecule: structure, formula, model. What does an ozone molecule look like?

The phrase "ozone layer", which became known in the 70's. The last century, for a long time already stuffed on edge. However, very few people really understand what this concept means and how dangerous is the destruction of the ozone layer. An even greater mystery for many is the structure of the ozone molecule, and in fact it is directly related to the problems of the ozone layer. Let's find out more about ozone, its structure and application of this substance in industry.

What is ozone

Ozone, or, as it is also called, active oxygen, is a gas of azure color with a sharp metallic smell.

This substance can exist in all three aggregate states: gaseous, solid and liquid.

In nature, ozone is found only in the form of a gas, forming the so-called ozone layer. It is because of its azure color that the sky seems blue.

What an ozone molecule looks like

Its nickname "active oxygen" ozone was due to its similarity with oxygen. So the main active chemical element in these substances is oxygen (O). However, if there are 2 atoms in the oxygen molecule, then the ozone molecule (formula - O ₃ ) consists of 3 atoms of this element.

Owing to this structure, the properties of ozone are similar to oxygen, but are more pronounced. In particular, like O ₂ , O ₃ Is the strongest oxidant.

The most important difference between these "related" substances, which is vital for everyone, is the following: ozone can not be breathed, it is toxic and, if inhaled, it can damage the lungs or even kill a person. At the same time, O _{3 is} perfectly suitable for purifying air from toxic impurities. By the way, it is because of this that after the rain it so easily breathes: ozone oxidizes harmful substances contained in the air, and it is purified.

The model of the ozone molecule (consisting of 3 oxygen atoms) is a bit like the image of the angle, and its size is 117 °. This molecule does not have unpaired electrons, therefore it is diamagnetic. In addition, it has a polarity, although it consists of atoms of one element.

Two atoms of this molecule are firmly fastened together. But the connection with the third is less reliable. For this reason, the ozone molecule (the photo model can be seen below) is very fragile and disintegrates shortly after formation. As a rule, oxygen is released during any O ₃ decomposition reaction.

Because of the instability of ozone, it can not be stored and stored, and also transported as other substances. For this reason, its production is more costly than other substances.

The high activity of the O ₃ molecules Allows this substance to be the strongest oxidant, more powerful than oxygen, and safer than chlorine.

If the ozone molecule collapses and O _{2 is released} , this reaction is always accompanied by the release of energy. At the same time, in order for the reverse process (formation of O ₃ from O ₂ ) to take place, it is necessary to expend it no less.

In the gaseous state, the ozone molecule decomposes at a temperature of 70 ° C. If it is raised to 100 degrees or more, the reaction will greatly accelerate. Also accelerates the period of decay of ozone molecules the presence of impurities.

Properties of O3

In whichever of the three states ozone is, it remains blue. The harder the substance, the more intense and darker this shade.

Each ozone molecule weighs 48 g / mol. It is heavier than air, which helps to separate these substances among themselves.

O ₃ is able to oxidize almost all metals and non-metals (except gold, iridium and platinum).

Also, this substance can participate in the combustion reaction, but this requires a higher temperature than for O ₂ .

Ozone is able to dissolve in H ₂ O and Freons. In the liquid state, it can be mixed with liquid oxygen, nitrogen, methane, argon, tetrachlorocarbon and carbon dioxide.

How an ozone molecule is formed

O ₃ molecules are formed by attaching free oxygen atoms to oxygen molecules. They, in turn, appear due to the splitting of other O ₂ molecules due to the action of electric discharges, ultraviolet rays, fast electrons and other high-energy particles on them. For this reason, the specific odor of ozone can be felt near sparkling electrical appliances or lamps emitting ultraviolet radiation.

On an industrial scale, O _{3 is} isolated using electric ozone generators or ozonizers. In these devices, an electric current of high voltage is passed through a gas stream in which O ₂ is located, the atoms of which serve as the "building material" for ozone.

Sometimes pure oxygen or ordinary air is launched into these devices. The quality of the resulting ozone depends on the purity of the initial product. Thus, medical O ₃ , intended for the treatment of wounds, is extracted only from chemically pure O ₂ .

History of ozone discovery

Having dealt with what the molecule of ozone looks like and how it is formed, it is worth getting acquainted with the history of this substance.

It was first synthesized by the Netherlands researcher Martin Van Marum in the second half of the 18th century. The scientist noticed that after passing electric sparks through the tank with air, the gas in it changed its properties. At the same time Van Marum did not understand that he had isolated the molecules of the new substance.

But his German colleague named Scheinbein, trying to use electricity to decompose H ₂ O into H and O ₂ , drew attention to the allocation of a new gas with a pungent odor. After conducting a lot of research, the scientist described the substance discovered by him and gave him the name "ozone" in honor of the Greek word "smell".

The ability to kill fungi and bacteria, as well as reduce the toxicity of harmful compounds, which had an open substance, interested many scientists. 17 years after the official opening of O _{3 by} Werner von Siemens, the first apparatus was constructed, which makes it possible to synthesize ozone in any quantity. And after another 39 years of genius Nikola Tesla invented and patented the world's first ozone generator.

It was this device that, after 2 years, was first used in France for purification plants for drinking water. With the beginning of XX century. Europe begins to shift to ozonation of drinking water for its purification.

The Russian Empire used this technique for the first time in 1911, and after 5 years almost 4 dozens of installations for purification of drinking water with the help of ozone were equipped in the country.

Today ozonation of water gradually replaces chlorination. Thus, 95% of all drinking water in Europe is purified using O ₃ . This method is also very popular in the USA. In the CIS it is still at the stage of study, because, although this procedure is safer and more convenient, it costs more than chlorination.

Areas of application of ozone

In addition to water purification, O ₃ has a number of other applications.

• Ozone is used as a bleach in the production of paper and fabric.
• Active oxygen is used to disinfect wines, as well as to accelerate the process of "aging" cognacs.
• With the help of O _3, various vegetable oils are refined.
• Very often this substance is used for the processing of perishable products, like meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables. This procedure does not leave chemical traces, as with the use of chlorine or formaldehyde, and the products can be stored for significantly longer.
• Ozone sterilizes medical equipment and clothing.
• Also purified O _{3 is} used for various medical and cosmetic procedures. In particular, with its help in stomatology disinfect the oral cavity and gums, and also treat various diseases (stomatitis, herpes, oral candidiasis). In European countries, O _{3 is} very popular for disinfection of wounds.
• In recent years, portable home appliances for filtering air and water with the help of ozone have become very popular.

The ozone layer - what is it?

At a distance of 15-35 km above the Earth's surface there is an ozone layer, or, as it is also called, the ozonosphere. At this point, concentrated O ₃ serves as a kind of filter for harmful solar radiation.

Where does this amount of matter come from, if its molecules are unstable? The answer to this question is not difficult, if you recall the model of the molecule of ozone and the way it is formed. So, oxygen, consisting of 2 oxygen molecules, getting into the stratosphere, is heated there by the sun's rays. This energy is sufficient to split O ₂ into atoms from which O ₃ is formed. In this case, the ozone layer not only uses part of the solar energy, but also filters it, absorbs the dangerous ultraviolet.

It was said above that ozone is dissolved by freons. These gaseous substances (used in the manufacture of deodorants, fire extinguishers and refrigerators), getting into the atmosphere, affect ozone and promote its decomposition. As a result, holes in the ozonosphere appear through which unfiltered sun rays enter the planet, which are destructive to living organisms.

Having considered the peculiarities and structure of ozone molecules, one can come to the conclusion that this substance, although dangerous, is very useful for humanity if it is used correctly.