Ozone

Ozone

Oxygen in the atmosphere is also known as Diatomic Oxygen. Oxygen actually exists as two Atoms bonded together. Diatomic Oxygen is stable. Ozone consists of three Oxygen Atoms bonded together which makes it highly unstable and very reactive. The Ozone Layer absorbs the harmful UV rays from the sun so that they do not reach the earth. Ozone is broken down to Diatomic Oxygen and a free Oxygen Atom when highly reactive chemicals, such as CFCs, are present in the atmosphere. [LM] {NR}