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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are commonly used as the gases used to exchange heat in refrigeration, due to their high volatility.
However, when released into the upper atmosphere, their carbon-chlorine bonds are easily broken by solar radiation to release chlorine radicals (unstable chlorine atoms). These chlorine radicals easily catalyze the conversion of ozone (a less stable form of oxygen, O3) into molecular oxygen (more stable, O2).
The problem is that ozone helps to block most UV-B (ultraviolet) radiation from reaching the surface of our planet, protecting lifeforms (such as ourselves). Oxygen does not have this same ability. Therefore, when CFCs cause rapid conversion of ozone to oxygen in our atmosphere, we end up with a significant reduction in our atmospheric ozone levels, allowing far more UV-B to get through (which can cause sunburns, skin cancer, etc.).
By using alternatives to CFCs, such as HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which deplete ozone to a lesser extent), or HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons, which have no ozone depletion characteristics), then we can reduce the negative effect that refrigerant chemicals have on our ozone layer, and, subsequently, ourselves.
A:Something was left out. It was unexplained how the Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) work. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they destroy the ozone. CFCs are made up of five atoms of three different kinds. There is carbon atom, one fluorine atom, and three chlorine atoms, hence the name Chloro-fluoro-carbon.Once they reach the atmosphere, there are almost immediatly hit by UV-B rays. These rays split the carbon and the fluorine atoms from the chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms separate from one another and begin their process.
First, the free chlorine atom collides with an ozoe molecule (O3) and steals one of the oxygen atoms, turning it into an oxygen molecule (O2). The chlorine atom (Cl) then becomes a molecule of chlorine monoxide (ClO). This ClO molecule will then, at some point, collide with an atom of oxygen (O). The Cl will then release it's captured O and create an O2 using the O atom it collided into. The Cl atom is now free again to break apart more O3.
Each individual CFC can take up to 80 years to dissolve. It is now illegal to use CFCs which were used in creating refrigerating coils and styrofoam. The amount of CFCs were reduced in 1987, but were then banned in 1990. Since they are banned, almost no CFCs are being pumped into the atmosphere, but since they take so long to dissolve, it will take a long time for the ozone layer to repair itself.
What else can I help you with?
What damage does Chloroflorocarbons do to the environment?
They deplete the ozone layer.
What pollutants are you putting in to the air?
Chloroflorocarbons , carbon monoxide , sulphur dioxide , nitrogen oxide ,hydrocarbons, phosphate ,etc,...
Do cars emit Chloroflorocarbons?
Internal combustion engines don't emit cloroflorocarbons, but they do emit hydrocarbon's. Hydrocarbons are/is unburned fuel which can be caused by a number of things,but it all leads back to unburned fuel.
What are the harmful gases?
Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, chloroflorocarbons (CFC's), mercury emissions, volatile organic compounds, etc. All the greenhouse gases that are causing global warming, especially carbon dioxide and methane.
What is causing the ozone layer to get smaller?
Chloroflorocarbons (CFCs) did. From what i've heard the ozone layer is starting to slowly heal up again. According to a report (2011) by the Scientific Assessment Panel of the U.N. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the ozone layer has, over the last decade, reached a turnaround point. It is no longer decreasing, but it is not yet increasing.
What is CFC free air conditioning in a car?
"cfc free" is a term which refers to the disuse of a particular chemical compound called chloroflorocarbons. This chemical was commonlly used in many house hold items such as airconditioners, refridgerators, and other freon based items as well as a propelant in aresol cans until it was discovered in the 60's and 70's that cfc's would make their way into the atmosphere and eat away at the ozone layer for years on end.
What do you called it destroys the atmosphere that surrounds the earth?
The destruction of the atmosphere that surrounds Earth is often referred to as atmospheric degradation or pollution. This can be caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and ozone depletion.
Why are small quantities of chloroflorocarbons harmful to the ozone layer?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down in the upper atmosphere and release chlorine atoms, which then catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules in the ozone layer. This leads to a reduction in the concentration of ozone, which is crucial in protecting the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Even small quantities of CFCs can have a significant impact due to their destructive nature on ozone molecules.
How does the ozone hole form over Antarctica in Spring?
In the Spring, the earth tilts far enough toward the sun that the Chloroflorocarbons (CFCs) can be mobilized and become active. Once active, they attach themselves to the Oxygen molecules in the O2 gas -- ozone -- and the hole forms. A technical description from Wikipedia includes: "Ozone is formed in the stratosphere when oxygen molecules photodissociate after intaking an ultraviolet photon whose wavelength is shorter than 240 nm. This converts a single O2 into two atomic oxygen radicals. The atomic oxygen radicals then combine with separate O2 molecules to create two O3 molecules. These ozone molecules absorb ultraviolet (UV) light between 310 and 200 nm, following which ozone splits into a molecule of O2 and an oxygen atom. The oxygen atom then joins up with an oxygen molecule to regenerate ozone. This is a continuing process that terminates when an oxygen atom "recombines" with an ozone molecule to make two O2 molecules."
What chemical compound pollutes the air?
There are many chemical compounds and other materials that can pollute the air. Braidly speaking these are (some examples gives: * Chemical gases (SOx NOx) * Organic vapours (ethylene, VCM, solvents) * Aerosols (mists of liquid chemical) * Fumes (metals) * Dusts (Chaff, soot) * Odours (mercaptans) * Toxics (H2S) * Opacity * Hydrocarbons * Reactive chemicals * Natural Contaminants (Ozone)
Which refrigeration is a cfc?
(Another contributor wrote:)"cfc free" is a term which refers to the disuse of a particular chemical compound called chloroflorocarbons. This chemical was commonlly used in many house hold items such as airconditioners, refridgerators, and other freon based items as well as a propelant in aresol cans until it was discovered in the 60's and 70's that cfc's would make their way into the atmosphere and eat away at the ozone layer for years on end.
Which chemical is responsible for ozone layer depletion?
This has been answered in other categories: # Water vapor (H2O) - it both blocks one route of ozone formation (by stabilizing N2O* which could otherwise form ozone), and it provides a new decay path for ozone (by forming H2O2). # CFCs - photocatalytically breaks ozone down, and hangs around a while to do it again, and again.
