Allotropy & Allotropes Of The Oxygen

Allotropy & Allotropes Of The Oxygen

Allotropy & Allotropes Of The Oxygen

The word Allotropy has been derived from two words Allos means other and Tropes means form. Thus it is defined as “The existences of more than one forms of an element in same physical state having same chemical properties but different physical properties are called allotropes or allotropic forms and this phenomenon or process is called allotropy”.

Example: Diamond and graphite are the allotropic form of carbon.

Oxygen (O₂) is color less.

•  O₂ is for life. Plants and animals cannot live without it.
• The most energetic ultra violet (UV) radiations, which are harmful for both plants and animals, are absorbed by oxygen in atmosphere.
• Rockets carry liquid O₂ as a fuel in space.
• Oxygen cylinders are used to aid patients of pneumonia and gas poisoning.
• Oxygen cylinders are used for breathing, while climbing on mountain, flying at high altitudes and in submarines.

Ozone (O₃): is blue.

• The less energetic ultra violet (UV) radiations, which are very harmful for both plants and animals, are absorbed by ozone.
• Ozone is poisonous, therefore can be used for disinfecting water.
• Ozone is used to sterilize air in crowded areas such as underground railway stations and slaughter houses.