I've noticed that, in a lot of the novels, every time a phaser or something goes off near something, they mention that the person notices the smell of ozone. Is there some real phenomenon that a high-temperature beam would make O3? Or is this some sort of fandom thing peculiar to phasers?
------------------ "I see you've found your Nausicaan friend. You seem unimpaled so far..." -Q to Picard, "Tapestry"
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
well high powered electical discharges create ozone... I guess some 02 molecules could form radicals and under the high temperatures and pressures use their spare electrons to form covalent bonds with other oxygen molecules... forming ozone 03
------------------ "I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die, while you discuss this invasion in a committee" Queen Amidala - Star Wars: Episode 1, The Phantom Menace
[This message was edited by AndrewR on May 13, 1999.]
Posted by Bernd (Member # 6) on :
I can confirm what Andrew said. Was ozone mentioned in the series as well?
------------------ "No, thanks. I've had enough. One more cup and I'll jump to warp." (Janeway, asked if she would like some coffee in "Once upon a Time") www.uni-siegen.de/~ihe/bs/startrek/
Posted by Simon on :
Lightning creates much of the ozone in our atmosphere because of its intense heat. I would assume phasers would have the same effect.