There are several possible things that can happen to ozone (O
3) when added to water (H
2O).
1. The molecules could stay unchanged.
2. The reaction 3H
2O +O
3 -> 3H
2O
2 (hydrogen peroxide) could occur.
3. The reaction 2O
3 -> 3O
2 (oxygen molecules) could occur.
Actually, if you make a sealed container of water and ozone, the answer should come out "all of the above". In chemical equilibrium at least some of each form will be present.
I guess (you really should ask a chemist) that under ordinary pressures and temperatures, the ozone mostly converts to ordinary oxygen, leaving very little hydrogen peroxide.
(As a physicist, I can add that at least some of each type of molecule is expected because the added entropy per molecule is enormous for the first few of any type.)
Mike W.
(published on 10/22/2007)
