Question Details

Following form(s) of oxygen is/are involved in ozone-oxygen cycle

Options

A

triatomic oxygen (O3)

B

diatomic oxygen (O2)

C

atomic oxygen (O)

D

All of the above

Correct Answer :

All of the above

Solution :

The correct option is All of the above.

The ozone-oxygen cycle (also known as the Chapman cycle) is a continuous process by which ozone is continually regenerated and destroyed in the Earth's stratosphere. This cycle involves three distinct forms of oxygen: diatomic oxygen, atomic oxygen, and triatomic oxygen (ozone).

Let us break down the cycle step-by-step to see how each form is involved:
1. Production of atomic oxygen and ozone: The cycle begins when diatomic oxygen molecules (O2) absorb high-energy ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) from the sun and photolyze (split) into two individual, highly reactive oxygen atoms (atomic oxygen, O):
O2 + UV light ⇒ O + O
2. Formation of ozone (triatomic oxygen): Each of these free atomic oxygen (O) radicals quickly binds with another diatomic oxygen (O2) molecule in the presence of a third collision partner (like nitrogen or oxygen, represented by M) to create ozone (triatomic oxygen, O3):
O + O2 + M ⇒ O3 + M
3. Ozone destruction (photolysis): The newly formed ozone (O3) absorbs medium-energy ultraviolet radiation (UV-B), splitting back into diatomic oxygen (O2) and atomic oxygen (O):
O3 + UV light ⇒ O2 + O
4. Recombination: Additionally, an ozone molecule can react with a free oxygen atom to reform two diatomic oxygen molecules:
O3 + O ⇒ 2 O2

Since the cycle actively utilizes and interconverts atomic oxygen (O), diatomic oxygen (O2), and triatomic oxygen (O3), all three forms of oxygen are involved in the ozone-oxygen cycle.

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