Which gas is responsible for the characteristic pungent smell near electrical equipment generating sparks, such as photocopiers and high-voltage generators?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ozone gas is generated when high-voltage electrical sparks interact with atmospheric oxygen, producing a characteristic sharp and pungent smell near copiers. Common gases like carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide do not generate this specific odor signature associated with electrical equipment discharges. Chemistry applications in everyday phenomena are frequently highlighted in civil services exams.