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Chapter 19: Problem 57

Ozone is desirable in the upper atmosphere but undesirable in the lower atmosphere. A dictionary states that ozone has the scent of a spring thunderstorm. How can these seemingly conflicting statements be reconciled in terms of the chemical properties of ozone?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Ozone (O3) is a powerful oxidizing agent and plays different roles in the atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere (stratosphere), ozone is crucial for protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation by acting as a shield. In the lower atmosphere (troposphere), it acts as a pollutant, reacting with other substances to form harmful compounds, causing respiratory and eye irritation, and is a major component of smog. The distinct scent of ozone, often associated with a spring thunderstorm, is the result of ozone's strong oxidizing properties reacting with other molecules in the atmosphere. Thus, these seemingly conflicting statements can be reconciled when considering ozone's chemical properties and its varying roles in the atmosphere.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding ozone's chemical properties

Ozone (O3) is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms, which makes it less stable than the more common diatomic oxygen molecule (O2). Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent, meaning it can easily react with other substances, and in large concentrations, ozone can be harmful to living organisms.
02

Ozone's role in the upper atmosphere

In the upper atmosphere (specifically, the stratosphere), ozone plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone absorbs the high-energy UV radiation from the sun, effectively acting as a shield and preventing most of it from reaching Earth's surface. This process is essential for maintaining a stable and life-supporting environment on our planet.
03

Ozone's role in the lower atmosphere

In the lower atmosphere (troposphere), ozone acts as a pollutant. This is because ozone formed close to the ground can react with various other substances, leading to the formation of harmful compounds. These compounds can cause respiratory and eye irritation and exacerbate existing health problems, particularly in susceptible individuals such as those with asthma or other respiratory issues. Ozone in the lower atmosphere is harmful to humans, animals, and plants, and is a major component of smog.
04

The scent of ozone

Ozone has a distinct scent that is often described as similar to that of a spring thunderstorm. This scent is the product of ozone's strong oxidizing properties. The electrical discharges from thunderstorms (lightning) can cause the formation of ozone, which then reacts with other molecules in the atmosphere, producing the distinct scent.
05

Reconciling the seemingly conflicting statements

Based on our understanding of ozone's chemical properties, we can reconcile the statements mentioned in the exercise. While ozone is an essential component of the upper atmosphere that protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, it is also a harmful pollutant in the lower atmosphere due to its reactivity and negative effects on human health and the environment. The distinct scent of ozone after a spring thunderstorm is a result of the chemical reactions occurring due to ozone's strong oxidizing properties.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Captain Kirk has set a trap for the Klingons who are threatening an innocent planet. He has sent small groups of fighter rockets to sites that are invisible to Klingon radar and put a decoy in the open. He calls this the "fishhook" strategy. Mr. Spock has sent a coded message to the chemists on the fighters to tell the ships what to do next. The outline of the message is Fill in the blanks of the message using the following clues. (1) Symbol of the halogen whose hydride has the second highest boiling point in the series of HX compounds that are hydrogen halides. (2) Symbol of the halogen that is the only hydrogen halide, HX, that is a weak acid in aqueous solution. (3) Symbol of the element whose existence on the sun was known before its existence on the earth was discovered. (4) The Group \(5 \mathrm{A}\) ( 15 ) element in Table \(19-13\) that should have the most metallic character. (5) Symbol of the Group \(6 \mathrm{A}(16)\) element that, like selenium, is a semiconductor. (6) Symbol for the element known in rhombic and monoclinic forms. (7) Symbol for the element that exists as diatomic molecules in a yellow-green gas when not combined with another element. (8) Symbol for the most abundant element in and near the earth's crust. (9) Symbol for the element that seems to give some protection against cancer when a diet rich in this element is consumed.(10) Symbol for the smallest noble gas that forms compounds with fluorine having the general formula \(\mathrm{AF}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{AF}_{4}\) (reverse the symbol and split the letters as shown). (11) Symbol for the toxic element that, like phosphorus and antimony, forms tetrameric molecules when uncombined with other elements (split the letters of the symbol as shown). (12) Symbol for the element that occurs as an inert component of air but is a very prominent part of fertilizers and explosives.

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