The decomposition of ozone may occur through the two-step mechanism shown below:
Step 1
O₃ → O₂ + O
Step 2
O₃ + O → 2O₂
The oxygen atom is considered to be a(n)

Question

The decomposition of ozone may occur through the two-step mechanism shown below: Step 1 O₃ → O₂ + O Step 2 O₃ + O → 2O₂ The oxygen atom is considered to be a(n)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The oxygen atom is involved in both steps of the reaction but is not present in the final products. Therefore, it is classified as a reaction intermediate, which is a species that is formed in one step and consumed in a subsequent step of a reaction mechanism.

The Decomposition of Ozone May Occur Through the Two-Step Mechanism