Page 85 - The Miracle in the Atom
P. 85
The Second Step On The Path To Matter: Molecules
be it two or three atoms in a molecule? Why then do two different gases
emerge? Before answering these questions, it would be better to see what
differentiates these gasses from each other.
Oxygen (O ) is found in the lower atmosphere and gives life to all living
2
beings through respiration. Ozone (O ) is a poisonous gas with a very bad
3
smell. It is found in the highest strata of the atmosphere. If we had to breat-
he ozone instead of oxygen, none of us would survive.
O
3
1 2 3
Chlorine
O
2
How does chlorine destroy ozone?
Chlorine reacts with ozone, producing an oxygen molecule and a
hypochlorite ion (OCl-) (1). The ion reacts with an oxygen atom (2) to lib-
erate free chlorine (3), which can react with and destroy another ozone
molecule. 32
83
