Frequently Asked Questions
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How is ozone created?
Ozone is formed naturally in the upper stratosphere by short wavelength ultraviolet radiation. Wavelengths less than ~240 nanometers are absorbed by oxygen molecules (O2), which dissociate to give O atoms. The O atoms combine with other oxygen molecules to make ozone: O2 + hv -> O + O (wavelength > 240 nm) O + O2 -> O3.