ozone
OH-zohn
/ˈoʊzoʊn/
A pale blue inorganic gas molecule (O3) with a pungent smell, beneficial in the upper atmosphere but toxic as a surface pollutant.
Beneficial high up (stratospheric ozone protects against UV) but harmful near ground level (tropospheric ozone causes smog and lung damage).
The story behind the word. German-Swiss chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein identified ozone in 1839 while investigating the electrical electrolysis of water. He derived its name from Greek 'ozein' (to smell) because of its distinctive sharp odor generated by electrical sparks.
Word relationships
- trioxygen: 'Trioxygen' is the formal chemical name for the O3 molecule.
Commonly confused with
- oxygen: Oxygen standard gas is diatomic (O2) and essential for respiration; ozone is triatomic (O3) and respiratory toxicant at ground level.
Word family
- ozonation (noun): Treatment or purification of a substance with ozone gas.
- ozonize (verb): To convert oxygen into ozone or treat with ozone.
Collocations
- ozone layer
- ground-level ozone
- ozone depletion
- ozone concentration
Example sentences
- "In the upper atmosphere ozone absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation, which would otherwise reach the Earth's surface with harmful consequences." Environmental Health
- "Hot summer afternoon sunlight triggers reactions that elevate ground-level ozone concentrations to hazardous levels." Urban Air Quality
Memory hook
Ozone smells sharp like electric wires—from Greek 'ozein' (to smell). Ozone = O3 molecule with a sharp, pungent odor.
When not to use
Do not use as a generic word for fresh air; ground-level ozone is actually a severe pollutant.
Fun facts
- The sharp, metallic smell in the air right after a nearby lightning strike is actually freshly generated ozone gas.
Related words
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