Chapter 17, Problem 56A

To determine

To explain: The difference between ozone molecule and oxygen molecule.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Properties of molecules depend on the chemical structure of the compound. Chemical structure includes bond angle, number of atoms in the molecule, types of the bonds. Bond angle, number of atoms in the molecule, types of the bonds all of these are different for ozone and oxygen molecule, hence they have different properties. As for example, oxygen molecule is essential for breathing but ozone is poisonous and harmful for health, it can damage lungs.

The basic difference between the two is that an ozone molecule is made up of 3 oxygen atoms, whereas an oxygen molecule is made up of 2 oxygen atoms. Also, they have totally different physical properties. Ozone is denser than oxygen gas. Ozone gas also has higher boiling point than oxygen. Ozone can prevent ultra violate radiation but oxygen cannot.