Question

The particle models shown above represent a proposed two-step mechanism for the destruction of ozone (O3) in the upper atmosphere.what is the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction?

Answer 1

The ozone molecule in the reaction, consisting of three oxygen atoms is

depleted to oxygen atom that has two oxygen atoms by chlorine gas.

The balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction is the option;

• 2·O₃ (g) → 3·O₂ (g)

Reasons:

The two step model for the destruction of ozone is presented as follows;

• Step 1; O₃(g) + Cl(g) → O₂(g) + ClO(g) (slow process)

• Step 2; ClO(g) + O₃(g) → Cl(g) + 2·O₂(g) (fast process)

Required:

The balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction.

Solution:

From the given reaction, two moles of ozone, (one mole of ozone in each

step) is converted into three moles of oxygen gas (one mole in the step 1

and two moles in the step 2).

The chlorine added in step 1 is produced in the step 2, therefore, the

chlorine acts as a catalyst in the reaction, and therefore, can be excluded

from the species that undergo the overall chemical change as follows;

• 2·O₃ (g)  $\underrightarrow{Cl (g)}$ 3·O₂(g)

The chemical equation of the overall reaction is therefore;

• 2·O₃(g)  →  3·O₂(g)

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