Which chemical is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which chemical is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?
Carbon Dioxide
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Methane
Sulfur Dioxide
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which chemical is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?
Step 1: Understand what the ozone layer is. It is a layer of gas in the Earth's atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Step 2: Learn about chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). They are man-made chemicals that were commonly used in products like refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays.
Step 3: Know how CFCs affect the ozone layer. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they eventually rise up to the stratosphere where the ozone layer is located.
Step 4: Understand the chemical reaction. In the stratosphere, CFCs break down and release chlorine atoms.
Step 5: Learn what chlorine does. Chlorine atoms react with ozone (O3) molecules, breaking them apart and reducing the amount of ozone in the layer.
Step 6: Conclude that CFCs are primarily responsible for ozone depletion because they release chlorine that destroys ozone.
