Ozone in the atmosphere is formed when higher energy UV radiation splits molecular oxygen (O₂) into free oxygen (O) atoms, which then combine with molecular oxygen to form ozone (O₃).
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1. Ultraviolet Radiation: High-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun strikes molecular oxygen (O2) in the stratosphere.
2. Oxygen Dissociation: UV radiation causes the molecular oxygen (O2) to dissociate into two oxygen atoms (O): O2 + UV radiation → 2O.
3. Ozone Formation: Free oxygen atoms (O) then combine with molecular oxygen (O2) to form ozone (O3): O + O2 → O3.
This process primarily occurs in the stratosphere and is essential for the formation of the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.