Ozone is an allotrope of which element?

Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen, which means it is a different structural form of the same element. While diatomic oxygen (O₂) is the most common form we encounter in the atmosphere, ozone (O₃) consists of three oxygen atoms bonded together in a unique arrangement. This distinct molecular structure gives ozone different physical and chemical properties compared to regular oxygen.

Allotropes are variants of a particular element that exist in different forms, each having unique characteristics. For example, carbon has several allotropes like graphite and diamond, but in this case, the correct answer relates to oxygen, where ozone serves as the triatomic allotrope. Understanding this distinction highlights the diversity of elemental forms and their respective behaviors in nature.