Question

Residential ozonators work by passing an electric current through the air, converting the oxygen in the air to ozone. Is this process a chemical reaction or a physical transformation of oxygen? Explain.

Short answer

The process of converting oxygen in the air to ozone by passing an electric current through the air is a chemical reaction. This is because it involves the breaking and formation of chemical bonds, resulting in a different molecular structure (ozone) with different properties, which is characteristic of a chemical reaction rather than a physical transformation.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Chemical Reactions and Physical Transformations

A chemical reaction involves the rearrangement of atoms in molecules, resulting in the formation of new chemical substances with different properties. In contrast, a physical transformation involves a change in the appearance or state of matter without any change in the chemical composition or identity of the substance.

Analyzing the process of ozonation

The process of ozonation involves passing an electric current through the air, which causes oxygen molecules (O2) to be converted into ozone (O3). This requires the breaking of O2 bonds and the formation of new O3 bonds, resulting in a different molecular structure and properties.

Determining the type of process

Since the process of ozonation involves the breaking and formation of chemical bonds and results in a different molecule with different properties (ozone), we can conclude that this process is a chemical reaction rather than a physical transformation of oxygen.

Conclusion

The process of converting oxygen in the air to ozone by passing an electric current through the air is a chemical reaction because it involves the rearrangement of atoms in molecules and results in the formation of a new chemical substance (ozone) with different properties.

Key concepts

Ozone Formation

Ozone formation is a fascinating chemical reaction that transforms regular oxygen (\( O_2 \)) into ozone (\( O_3 \)). This occurs when an electric current passes through the air containing oxygen. The energy from the current provides the necessary activation energy to break the stable double bonds in oxygen molecules. When these bonds are broken, individual oxygen atoms are free to recombine in new configurations.

When the free oxygen atoms meet each other, they form a bond creating ozone, which consists of three oxygen atoms. This new configuration makes ozone distinct in its molecular structure, compared to the original diatomic oxygen molecules. This process is not only interesting but also crucial, as ozone plays an important role in blocking harmful UV rays from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere.

Understanding these processes helps illustrate how energy and chemical reactions influence environmental and technological processes, such as air purification using ozonators.

Chemical Bonds

Chemical bonds are the glue that hold atoms together within a molecule. In the context of ozone formation, understanding these bonds is key to realizing how oxygen transforms into ozone. Initially, oxygen molecules (\( O_2 \)) are held together by a double covalent bond. This means two pairs of electrons are shared between the two oxygen atoms, creating a stable molecule.

However, when an ozonator applies an electric current, it provides enough energy to break these double bonds. The newly single atoms can form new bonds. In the case of forming ozone, a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms features two distinct bonding arrangements: a double and a single bond. This creates a bent molecular shape, which defines ozone's unique properties and behavior.

Recognizing what happens during bond breaking and formation is essential for appreciating how ubiquitous changes in bonding patterns facilitate chemical reactions, resulting in new substances with different properties.

Molecular Structure

The molecular structure of ozone is what sets it apart from its parent molecule, oxygen. While diatomic oxygen (\( O_2 \)) is a linear molecule, ozone (\( O_3 \)) is bent due to its specific arrangement of bonds. This shape results from the way ozone's electrons are distributed among its atoms.

Ozone molecules have one double bond and one single bond between the three oxygen atoms. This creates a resonance structure, meaning that the electrons are shared between these two bonds in different ways. This resonates across the molecule making it a unique form with distinct chemical properties.

In chemistry, the structure of molecules frequently determines their function and behavior. For ozone, its particular molecular form is what gives it the ability to absorb specific wavelengths of UV radiation, demonstrating structure-function relationships in chemical substances.

Chemical Properties

Chemical properties are characteristics that dictate a substance's ability to undergo specific chemical changes. With ozone, these properties are visible in its reactive nature compared to diatomic oxygen (\( O_2 \)).

Ozone is much more reactive due to its unique molecular structure that provides sites for chemical interactions. This allows ozone to react easily with various substances, making it a powerful oxidizing agent. This property is harnessed in various applications like water purification and air treatment. However, ozone's reactivity also makes it a pollutant at ground level where it can harm living organisms.

Understanding ozone's chemical properties helps to appreciate how even minor changes in molecular structure can profoundly influence a substance's behavior. This awareness emphasizes the broader theme of chemical reactions and their impacts on both technology and the environment.