Most ozone resides in the stratosphere (a layer of the atmosphere between 10 and 40 km above us), where it acts as a shield to protect Earth’s surface from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. With a weakening of this shield, we would be more susceptible to skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune systems.

What is the function of the atmosphere's ozone layer?

The ozone layer acts as a shield for life on Earth. Ozone is good at trapping a type of radiation called ultraviolet radiation, or UV light, which can penetrate organisms’ protective layers, like skin, damaging DNA molecules in plants and animals.

Where are chlorofluorocarbons found?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are anthropogenic compounds that have been released into the atmosphere since the 1930s in various applications such as in air-conditioning, refrigeration, blowing agents in foams, insulations and packing materials, propellants in aerosol cans, and as solvents.

What is the ozone layer and where is it found?

Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth’s surface (see the figure below). Ozone is a molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. At any given time, ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the stratosphere.

Where is the harmful ozone layer found?

“Bad” ozone is found in the troposphere, the layer nearest the ground. Tropospheric ozone is a harmful pollutant which forms when sunlight alters various chemicals emitted by humans. “Good” ozone forms in the stratosphere, the next higher layer where some jet planes fly.

How does ozone layer protect us from UV rays?

Ozone absorbs UV-B radiation from the sun. When an ozone molecule absorbs UV-B, it comes apart into an oxygen molecule (O2) and a separate oxygen atom (O). … By absorbing UV-B in the stratosphere, the ozone layer prevents harmful levels of this radiation from reaching Earth’s surface.

Where does the weather take place?

Most weather happens in the troposphere, the part of Earth’s atmosphere that is closest to the ground.

What are three importance of ozone layer?

New Delhi, Sep 16: Ozone layers blocks harmful UV rays from the sun and protects biological processes on the earth which are essential for sustenance of life. If not blocked by Ozone layer, exposure to ultraviolet radiation can increase the risk of cataracts, skin cancer and other detrimental effects among humans.

What is the importance of the ozone layer found on the boundary of the troposphere and stratosphere?

The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km (31 miles) above the ground. The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere. Ozone molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun, converting the UV energy into heat.

What is chlorofluorocarbon used for?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants.

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What are chlorofluorocarbons how are they responsible?

Answer : CFCs are synthetic harmful chemicals which are mainly responsible for ozone layer depletion. CFCs release chlorine atoms which break ozone to oxygen. More amounts of CFCs thus released will cause depletion of ozone layer.

Why is the presence of chlorofluorocarbon in the air is harmful?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) rays generated from the sun. CFCs and HCFCs also warm the lower atmosphere of the earth, changing global climate.

Where is ozone helpful and harmful?

The stratosphere or “good” ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

What two places is the ozone found?

Ozone (O3) is mainly found in two layers of our atmosphere: the troposphere and the stratosphere. The stratosphere, 10 and 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, contains around 90% of the total atmospheric ozone amount.

What is the weather layer?

1) The troposphere is the first layer above the surface and contains half of the Earth’s atmosphere. Weather occurs in this layer.

What is the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs?

Troposphere. Known as the lower atmosphere almost all weather occurs in this region. The troposphere begins at the Earth’s surface and extends from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) high. The height of the troposphere varies from the equator to the poles.

Which layer is the coldest layer of the atmosphere?

Located between about 50 and 80 kilometers (31 and 50 miles) above Earth’s surface, the mesosphere gets progressively colder with altitude. In fact, the top of this layer is the coldest place found within the Earth system, with an average temperature of about minus 85 degrees Celsius (minus 120 degrees Fahrenheit).

How does ozone layer protect us from UV rays Brainly?

Answer: The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing dangerous UV rays from hitting Earth’s surface and harming living organisms. UV rays cannot be seen or felt, but they are very powerful and change the chemical structure of molecules.

How is ozone layer protected?

How can we protect the ozone layer? Avoid the consumption of gases dangerous to the ozone layer, due to their content or manufacturing process. Some of the most dangerous gases are CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halogenated hydrocarbon, methyl bromide and nitrous oxide. Minimize the use of cars.

Which layer protects us from harmful rays of the sun?

The ozone layer protects us from potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

What is the importance of the ozone layer quizlet?

Why is the ozone layer important? This layer acts as a filter to prevent too much of the harmful ultraviolet light in sunlight from reaching earth.

Where is the ozone layer found what is its importance and how is it being destroyed?

In the lower part of the stratosphere between the altitudes of 15 and 30 km, there is a thin layer of the gas, ozone. Ozone plays a very important role as it absorbs harmful ultra violet rays. The ozone layer is being destroyed by the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere.

How is ozone layer formed state its importance to all life forms on earth?

The ozone layer is formed when the sunlight breaks apart an oxygen molecule into two oxygen atoms and these oxygen atoms collide with another oxygen atom which makes ozone. The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays (UV rays) which comes from the Sun.

Where and how is ozone formed?

Ozone is formed when heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX ) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), which are also known as Hydrocarbons. This reaction can occur both near the ground and high in the atmosphere.

What is ozone layer long answer?

The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.

How does Freon 12 deplete ozone layer?

They are one of the greenhouse gases causing stratosphere ozone depletion. Complete answer: Freons are colorless, odorless fluorinated chemicals used as cooling agents in refrigerators. … It breaks down in the presence of ultraviolet rays and reacts with ozone molecules only to release nascent oxygen atoms from it.

How do CFC destroy the ozone layer?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules. The seasons have an impact on the Antarctic ozone hole.

What is the major source of chlorofluorocarbons CFCs?

The most common source of CFCs are refrigerants, but fire suppression systems for aircraft and aerosols also emit CFCs into the atmosphere.

What are chlorofluorocarbon how are they responsible for causing ozone hole in the atmosphere What will be the consequences of ozone hole?

Due to the release of chlorine atoms on exposure to ultraviolet radiation they are toxic to the ozone layer in the earth’s atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons are causing ozone hole as the chlorine released reacts with ozone and forms oxygen and creates a hole in the layer.

What is ozone layer depletion and its effects?

Ozone layer depletion causes increased UV radiation levels at the Earth’s surface, which is damaging to human health. Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders. … UV rays also affect plant growth, reducing agricultural productivity.

What is the main problem caused by the ozone hole?

The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.