What is the molecular symbol for ozone?

The molecular symbol for ozone is represented as O3. Ozone is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms bonded together. This distinguishes it from molecular oxygen, which is commonly found in the atmosphere as O2, consisting of only two oxygen atoms.

Ozone plays a crucial role in the atmosphere by absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting living organisms on Earth. The structure of O3 allows it to have unique chemical properties and behaviors compared to its diatomic counterpart, O2, and other hypothetical molecular configurations like O4 or O5, which do not occur naturally in significant amounts. Understanding the correct molecular composition of ozone is vital in studies related to environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and health implications of air quality.