All Flashcards
What is the ozone layer?
A region in the stratosphere containing high concentrations of ozone (O3), protecting Earth from harmful UV radiation.
What are CFCs?
Chlorofluorocarbons: man-made chemicals formerly used in refrigerants and aerosols, known for depleting the ozone layer.
What is UV radiation?
Ultraviolet radiation: electromagnetic radiation from the sun that can be harmful to living organisms.
What is the stratosphere?
Layer of atmosphere above troposphere, contains the ozone layer.
Define ozone depletion.
The thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, primarily caused by human-produced chemicals like CFCs.
What are the steps of the natural ozone cycle?
- O3 splits into O + O2. 2. O + O2 reforms into O3.
How do CFCs destroy ozone?
- UV radiation breaks Cl off CFC. 2. Cl + O3 -> ClO + O2. 3. ClO + O3 -> Cl + 2 O2.
What are the steps of CFC-mediated ozone depletion?
- UV radiation breaks chlorine off CFCs. 2. Chlorine steals an oxygen from ozone (O3), forming chlorine monoxide (ClO). 3. ClO steals another oxygen, freeing chlorine to repeat the cycle.
Describe the natural ozone cycle.
- O3 + electromagnetic radiation -> O + O2. 2. O + O2 -> O3. Ozone is constantly being created and destroyed.