Ozone is a gas made up of

Question

Ozone is a gas made up of

1. A. four oxygen atoms
2. B. two oxygen atoms
3. C. three oxygen atoms (Correct answer)
4. D. five oxygen atoms

Correct Answer

Option C — three oxygen atoms

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is three oxygen atoms.

Key Points

• Ozone (O3) is an allotrope of oxygen consisting of three oxygen atoms bonded together (a triatomic molecule).
• In the stratosphere, the ozone layer forms naturally when ultraviolet radiation breaks ordinary oxygen molecules (O2) into individual oxygen atoms, which then combine with other O2 molecules to form O3.
• This ozone layer absorbs most of the sun's harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation, protecting life on Earth.
• Ground-level ozone is a pollutant and constituent of smog.