What is the Difference Between Oxygen and Ozone?

Oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3) are both forms of oxygen, but they have distinct differences in their molecular structure, properties, and behavior. The main differences between oxygen and ozone are:

• Molecular Structure: Oxygen is a diatomic molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms (O2), while ozone is a triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms (O3).
• Stability: Ozone is less stable than oxygen, making it more chemically reactive and likely to react with other molecules at lower temperatures.
• Odor: Oxygen is odorless, while ozone has a strong, pungent odor that can be detected even in low amounts.
• Physical Properties: Ozone has a higher molecular weight, melting point, and boiling point than oxygen. Moreover, ozone has a different crystal structure and dissociates at much higher temperatures than oxygen.
• Solubility: Ozone is more soluble in water than oxygen, with a solubility of 0.64 g/100 mL at 0°C compared to oxygen's solubility of 0.049 g/100 mL at 0°C.

In summary, oxygen and ozone differ in their molecular structure, stability, odor, and solubility. While oxygen is a diatomic molecule, ozone is a triatomic molecule with enhanced chemical reactivity and solubility in water.

Comparative Table: Oxygen vs Ozone

The main differences between oxygen and ozone are their molecular structures, colors, and levels of reactivity. Here is a summary of their differences in a table:

Oxygen (O2) is a diatomic gaseous molecule and is a colorless, odorless, and non-reactive substance. It makes up about 20% of the Earth's atmosphere and is essential for life.

Ozone (O3), on the other hand, is a triatomic gaseous molecule that is more reactive than oxygen. It is present in the upper atmosphere, forming the ozone layer, which helps protect life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.