Ozone can be a colorless to blue gas, dark blue liquid or blue-black crystals with a pungent odor.
Citation of a publication:
R. Trambarulo, S. N. Ghosh, C. A. Burrus Jr.,
W. Gordy: The Molecular Structure, Dipole
Moment, and g Factor of Ozone from Its
Microwave Spectrum. J. Chem. Phys., 1953,
21, 851-855.
Miscellaneous comments:
The gas phase structure was was determined by Trambarulo et al. using microwave spectroscopy.
Layman's explanation:
Ozone (O3) is an unstable blue gas that was named after its characteristic odor (ozein is the Greek word for "to smell"). Although it is only present in small quantities on our planet, it plays an essential role in the chemistry of Earth's atmosphere. Ozone is produced when high energy ultraviolet (UV) light from our sun breaks apart molecular oxygen present high up in the stratosphere at altitudes of 20–30 km. The oxygen atoms formed further react with other diatomic oxygen molecules to form ozone in the process. These reactions are responsible for the ozone layer in the stratosphere that protects creatures on the surface of the Earth from harmful UV radiation that would normally destroy cells. In 1985 an "ozone hole" over Antarctica was discovered and linked to the interaction of stratospheric ozone with chlorine from chlorofluorocarbon pollutants produced by industrialized countries. This sparked international concern for the future health of the planet and led to the famous Montreal Protocol banning the use of chlorofluorocarbons. There is another source of ozone closer to Earth's surface–photochemical air pollution. In places such as Los Angeles, complex chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from automobile emissions create smog, and along with it, high concentrations of ground-level ozone. So much ozone is toxic and over time damages the bronchial and pulmonary system of human inhabitants. Strict regulations on automobile and industrial emissions have been enacted to protect human health and the environment from the toxic effects of photochemical smog.
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