Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2332 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Oxygen's Allotropes and Oxidizing Strength
Captions available
The idea
Oxygen exists as allotropes O2 and O3, and reacts, as the second-strongest oxidizer after fluorine, with nearly every element except the noble gases, halogens, and a few unreactive metals.
In practice
Stratospheric ozone absorbs UV light, decomposing into O2 and a reactive oxygen atom that makes ozone a bleach.
Where people slip
Ozone's oxidizing strength doesn't make it more stable — O2 is the stable form.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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