ózonképzdést

Ózonképződés refers to the process by which ozone (O₃) is formed. Ozone is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. In the Earth's atmosphere, ozone is primarily formed in the stratosphere through a photochemical reaction. This process begins when ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun strikes oxygen molecules (O₂). The high-energy UV photons break the bond between the two oxygen atoms in an O₂ molecule, creating two free oxygen atoms. These highly reactive free oxygen atoms then collide with other oxygen molecules. When a free oxygen atom collides with an O₂ molecule, they can combine to form an ozone molecule, O₃. This reaction can be represented as O + O₂ → O₃. This stratospheric ozone layer is crucial for life on Earth as it absorbs a significant portion of the sun's harmful UV radiation.

Ozone can also be formed at ground level, which is a different phenomenon and is considered a pollutant. This tropospheric ozone is not directly emitted but is created through chemical reactions involving pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in the presence of sunlight. These reactions are complex and involve free radical chemistry. Ground-level ozone is a component of smog and can have detrimental effects on human health and vegetation. Therefore, understanding ózonképződés is important for both atmospheric science and environmental protection.