What gas is mainly responsible for the fresh, sharp smell noticed after lightning strikes nearby?

Explanation

The sharp, fresh smell sometimes noticed after a thunderstorm or near sparking electrical equipment is caused by ozone, which forms when electrical energy splits oxygen molecules and they recombine as O3. This same gas, in the upper atmosphere, forms the protective ozone layer, though at ground level in higher concentrations it can be a lung irritant. The smell has led to ozone being named after the Greek word for smell. Explore more Everyday Science MCQs on mcqstutor to keep practicing.