Ozone Molecule in 3D: O₃ Structure and Facts
Ozone is three oxygen atoms joined in a bent shape. High in the sky it forms the ozone layer that blocks harmful ultraviolet light, but near the ground it is a pollutant. In Molecule Studio you can spin the ozone molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.
Explore in 3DOzone quick facts
| Chemical formula | O₃ |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 48.0 g/mol |
| Atoms in one molecule | 3 |
| Shape | Bent, with an angle of about 117 degrees |
| Group | Gases |
What is ozone used for?
- The ozone layer shields life from UV light
- Cleaning and disinfecting water
- Bleaching
Interesting facts about ozone
- The ozone layer sits about 15 to 35 km above the ground.
- Its bonds are a resonance hybrid, in between single and double.
- It has a sharp smell, sometimes noticed after thunderstorms.
- Chemicals called CFCs damaged the ozone layer until they were banned.
What you can do in 3D
Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.
More gases molecules
Ozone questions
What is the formula of ozone?
O3: three oxygen atoms.
What shape is ozone?
Bent, with an angle of about 117 degrees.
Why is the ozone layer important?
It absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet light before it reaches the ground.
Is ozone good or bad?
Good high in the atmosphere, where it blocks UV light, but harmful to breathe near the ground.
Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.