The decomposition of ozone is believed to occur in two steps
O3 <==> O2 + O
O3 + O ---> 2O2
Identify any reaction intermediate. What is the overall reacion?
I got O3 + O3 --> O2 + 2O2
To identify any reaction intermediates, we need to examine the reactants and products of each step.
In the first step of the reaction, O3 decomposes to form O2 and O. Here, O is an intermediate because it is produced in the first step but consumed in the second step.
The overall reaction can be obtained by summing up the two steps:
O3 <==> O2 + O (Step 1)
O3 + O ---> 2O2 (Step 2)
By adding the two steps together, we cancel out the reactant O3 and obtain the overall reaction:
O3 + O3 ---> 3O2
Therefore, the correct overall reaction is O3 + O3 ---> 3O2.