Final answer:
Ozone is mainly concentrated in the stratosphere, where it forms a protective layer that absorbs ultraviolet radiation, essential for safeguarding life on Earth. It’s a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms, beneficial when located in the upper atmosphere but potentially harmful at ground level.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ozone, another important component of the atmosphere, is concentrated in the stratosphere. This region is about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth's surface, where the ozone layer forms a protective screen that absorbs harmful ultraviolet light, shielding life on Earth from its damaging effects.
Ozone is an unstable form of oxygen, with three oxygen atoms bonded together (O3), and it plays a critical role both in protecting the planet and comprising part of our upper atmosphere.
Ozone can be good or bad, depending on its location. The ozone that occurs in the upper atmosphere, specifically in the stratosphere, is beneficial because of its role in blocking harmful radiation. The creation of ozone in the stratosphere happens when oxygen molecules (O2) are broken apart by sunlight, allowing individual oxygen atoms to combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3).
It's crucial to understand that while ozone in the stratosphere is protective, ground-level ozone represents a hazard, often associated with pollution and negative health effects.