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Question

Question: Why does \({O_3}\) act as a powerful oxidizing agent?...

Why does O3{O_3} act as a powerful oxidizing agent?

Explanation

Solution

:Hint: O3{O_3} is actually an endothermic compound. On heating, it forms nascent oxygen.Ozone (O3{O_3} ) is a highly reactive gas which is composed of 3 oxygen atoms. It is generally both a natural and a man-made product that comes in the Earth's upper atmosphere. ( the stratosphere) and in the lower atmosphere (the troposphere). It depends on where it is in the atmosphere, ozone usually affects life on Earth in both either good or bad ways.

Complete answer:
Ozone is actually not a very stable compound in normal conditions and it decomposes readily on heating to form a molecule of oxygen along with nascent oxygen. Nascent oxygen, being a free radical, is very reactive in nature.
O3ΔO2+[O]{O_3}\xrightarrow{\Delta }{O_2} + [O]
Ozone on heating, it decomposes to form oxygen along with nascent oxygen, therefore it acts as a powerful oxidizing agent.

Additional Information: Whether it is in its pure form or mixed with various chemicals, ozone is really harmful to health. When anyone inhales, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can create chest pain, also coughing, shortness of breath and, even throat irritation.
Stratospheric ozone is good as it saves living things from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ground-level ozone is bad as it can even trigger a variety of health problems, mostly for children, the elderly, and people of all ages who have suffered lung diseases like asthma.

Note:
As if we see the hint, the answer is clear. Nascent oxygen is responsible as being a free radical which is very reactive in nature and acts as a powerful oxidizing agent. Ozone, or tri-oxygen, is a chemical having the symbol O3{O_3}. This means 1 molecule of ozone is made of 3 oxygen atoms. Ozone is formed from oxygen gas ( O2{O_2} ) just by the action of ultraviolet light and also atmospheric electrical discharges.