Ozone Gas

Ozone gas (O₃) is a special form of oxygen made up of three oxygen atoms instead of the usual two. It is a pale blue gas with a sharp, strong smell, often noticed after thunderstorms. Ozone exists in two main parts of the atmosphere: in the upper layer (stratosphere), it forms the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun; however, at ground level (troposphere), it acts as a pollutant that can harm human health, causing breathing issues and eye irritation, and can also damage plants. Ozone is formed when oxygen molecules are split by ultraviolet light or electrical energy, and the free oxygen atoms combine with other oxygen molecules. It is also used in water purification, air cleaning, and bleaching processes due to its strong oxidizing properties.