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Chlorine radicals are formed by CFC's. They deplete the ozone layer.

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Is smoke causing a hole in the ozone layer?

No, not smoke. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released in the second half of last century is still damaging the ozone layer. Chlorine separates from the CFCs and attacks the ozone. Ozone is a protective layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed, when oxygen molecules absorb short wavelength ultra violet radiations from the sun. Ozone is mostly destroyed by free radicals in the atmosphere. When compounds like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other halocarbons are released, they are dissociated by sunlight into chloride radicals. These radicals attack ozone, thereby decreasing its concentration. This results in a thinning of the ozone layer, and in polar regions, a hole. The holes occur at the poles, and usually in Antarctica because of the extreme cold. During the winter polar stratospheric clouds form which are able to convert gases in the atmosphere into Cl (chlorine) and ClO (chlorine monoxide). When the sun arrives at the end of winter, that is the trigger to begin. This is why the hole is largest in spring.


How do CFCs cause the ozone hole?

Chlorine breaks off from CFCs and destroys the ozone. Ozone is a protective layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed, when oxygen molecules absorb short wavelength ultra violet radiations from the sun. Ozone is mostly destroyed by free radicals in the atmosphere. When compounds like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other halocarbons are released, they are dissociated by sunlight into chloride radicals. These radicals attack ozone, thereby decreasing its concentration. This results in a thinning of the ozone layer, and in polar regions, a hole. The holes occur at the poles, and usually in Antarctica because of the extreme cold. During the winter polar stratospheric clouds form which are able to convert gases in the atmosphere into Cl (chlorine) and ClO (chlorine monoxide). When the sun arrives at the end of winter, that is the trigger to begin. This is why the hole is largest in spring.


What is the less common form of oxygen that is formed in the upper atmosphere?

The less common form is ozone. It is formed in stratosphere.


What molecules are destroying the ozone layer?

CFC molecules are the most harmful kind of molecules. They are synthesized by Chlorine and Fluorine. What they do is react with ozone and decompose to destroy it.The real problem isn't molecules, it's halogen free radicals. A chlorine free radical (basically, a chlorine atom not bonded to anything else) is highly reactive and will react catalytically with ozone to break it down (the net equation is Cl. + 2O3 -> Cl. + 3O2; the dot next to the Cl represents an unpaired electron).Chlorofluorocarbons are prone to producing chlorine free radicals in a UV-rich environment (such as the upper atmosphere, where there is far more UV radiation than down lower), so it's possible that "CFCs" is the answer you were looking for.


How do scientists know chlorine and bromine effect the ozone layer?

Scientists have performed experiments under conditions that they believe replicate the conditions in the upper atmosphere where the presence of chlorine and bromine radicals (created when solar radiation breaks them free from the molecules they were once part of) and ice crystals catalyzes a more rapid decomposition of ozone (O3) back to simple oxygen molecules (O2). In all honesty, scientists don't KNOW that Cl and Br actually do that in the upper atmosphere, but the evidence is very strong based on existing research. Theoretically, the halogenated hydrocarbons that contain these atoms are very stable and can persist long enough remain intact for the years it may take them to diffuse into the upper atmosphere and be decomposed as theorized in the experiments.

Related Questions

In the upper layer of the atmosphare ozone is formed by?

The upper layer of the atmosphere is formed by ozone layer. This is a layer of ozone gas.


Is smoke causing a hole in the ozone layer?

No, not smoke. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released in the second half of last century is still damaging the ozone layer. Chlorine separates from the CFCs and attacks the ozone. Ozone is a protective layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed, when oxygen molecules absorb short wavelength ultra violet radiations from the sun. Ozone is mostly destroyed by free radicals in the atmosphere. When compounds like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other halocarbons are released, they are dissociated by sunlight into chloride radicals. These radicals attack ozone, thereby decreasing its concentration. This results in a thinning of the ozone layer, and in polar regions, a hole. The holes occur at the poles, and usually in Antarctica because of the extreme cold. During the winter polar stratospheric clouds form which are able to convert gases in the atmosphere into Cl (chlorine) and ClO (chlorine monoxide). When the sun arrives at the end of winter, that is the trigger to begin. This is why the hole is largest in spring.


What caused the global warming to put a hole in the ozone layer?

No, Global Warming has almost nothing to do with the ozone hole. Ozone is a protective layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed, when oxygen molecules absorb short wavelength ultra violet radiations from the sun. Ozone is mostly destroyed by free radicals in the atmosphere. When compounds like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other halocarbons are released, they are dissociated by sunlight into chloride radicals. These radicals attack ozone, thereby decreasing its concentration. This results in a thinning of the ozone layer, and in polar regions, a hole. The holes occur at the poles, and usually in Antarctica because of the extreme cold. During the winter polar stratospheric clouds form which are able to convert gases in the atmosphere into Cl (chlorine) and ClO (chlorine monoxide). When the sun arrives at the end of winter, that is the trigger to begin. This is why the hole is largest in spring.


In the upper layer of the atmosphere ozone is formed?

Ozone is formed by UV rays. They are rays from the sun.


How do CFCs cause the ozone hole?

Chlorine breaks off from CFCs and destroys the ozone. Ozone is a protective layer in the upper atmosphere. It is formed, when oxygen molecules absorb short wavelength ultra violet radiations from the sun. Ozone is mostly destroyed by free radicals in the atmosphere. When compounds like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other halocarbons are released, they are dissociated by sunlight into chloride radicals. These radicals attack ozone, thereby decreasing its concentration. This results in a thinning of the ozone layer, and in polar regions, a hole. The holes occur at the poles, and usually in Antarctica because of the extreme cold. During the winter polar stratospheric clouds form which are able to convert gases in the atmosphere into Cl (chlorine) and ClO (chlorine monoxide). When the sun arrives at the end of winter, that is the trigger to begin. This is why the hole is largest in spring.


What is the less common form of oxygen that is formed in the upper atmosphere?

The less common form is ozone. It is formed in stratosphere.


Which atoms in the cfc molecule can destroy thousands of ozone molecuels in the upper atmosphere?

Chlorine atoms in CFC molecules can destroy thousands of ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere when they are released due to UV light breaking down the CFC molecules. These chlorine atoms react with ozone molecules, causing them to break apart and reduce the ozone concentration in the atmosphere.


What molecules are destroying the ozone layer?

CFC molecules are the most harmful kind of molecules. They are synthesized by Chlorine and Fluorine. What they do is react with ozone and decompose to destroy it.The real problem isn't molecules, it's halogen free radicals. A chlorine free radical (basically, a chlorine atom not bonded to anything else) is highly reactive and will react catalytically with ozone to break it down (the net equation is Cl. + 2O3 -> Cl. + 3O2; the dot next to the Cl represents an unpaired electron).Chlorofluorocarbons are prone to producing chlorine free radicals in a UV-rich environment (such as the upper atmosphere, where there is far more UV radiation than down lower), so it's possible that "CFCs" is the answer you were looking for.


What atoms in the CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere?

The CFC's molecules are ODS. They react with ozone to deplete it. The Chlorine and Fluorine are main atoms.


How do scientists know chlorine and bromine effect the ozone layer?

Scientists have performed experiments under conditions that they believe replicate the conditions in the upper atmosphere where the presence of chlorine and bromine radicals (created when solar radiation breaks them free from the molecules they were once part of) and ice crystals catalyzes a more rapid decomposition of ozone (O3) back to simple oxygen molecules (O2). In all honesty, scientists don't KNOW that Cl and Br actually do that in the upper atmosphere, but the evidence is very strong based on existing research. Theoretically, the halogenated hydrocarbons that contain these atoms are very stable and can persist long enough remain intact for the years it may take them to diffuse into the upper atmosphere and be decomposed as theorized in the experiments.


Which atoms in the CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozine molecules in the upper atmosphere?

Chlorine atoms in CFC molecules can destroy thousands of ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere. When CFCs break down in the stratosphere due to UV radiation, the chlorine atoms released can catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion.


What percent of the sources of chlorine in the stratosphere are CFCS?

Over 80% of the chlorine found in the stratosphere comes from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These compounds can break down in the upper atmosphere, releasing chlorine atoms that can then participate in ozone depletion reactions.