Chemistry
How is the 'ozone oxygen cycle' maintained in the stratosphere and state what disturbs the balance, resulting in ozone depletion or destruction, Give balanced equation for the same.
Pollution
20 Likes
Answer
Ozone is formed in the stratosphere — Highly energetic ultraviolet radiations from the sun breaks the oxygen molecule [O2] into two atoms. This reaction is photodissociation or photolysis.
Highly reactive oxygen atom [O] can then react with oxygen molecule [O2] to form ozone [O3]
O2 [O] + [O]
O2 + [O] ⟶ O3 [ozone]
Ozone is also broken down in the stratosphere — In unpolluted air containing minimal chemical compounds, unstable ozone molecule, in presence of solar radiations may split into molecular oxygen [O2] and an atom of atomic oxygen [O].
The atomic oxygen then combines with another ozone molecule to form two molecules of molecular oxygen.
O3 O2 + [O]
O3 + [O] ⟶ 2O2
Thus a continuing process called 'ozone oxygen cycle' is maintained between the amount of ozone [O3] being produced and being destroyed. As a result, the total concentration of ozone remains almost the same.
The balance is disturbed by release of chemicals — such as chlorofluorocarbons containing atomic chlorine and bromine and other free radicals which breaks the ozone molecule causing ozone depletion.
Answered By
9 Likes
Related Questions
What is an ozone layer. State the distribution of the ozone layer in the stratosphere.
Give balanced equations for formation of ozone molecules from oxygen molecules. What type of reaction takes place, during the formation.
Enumerate the damage to humans, animals and plants caused due to ozone depletion.
Name the chemicals responsible for destruction of the ozone layer. State the main chemical from these chemicals, which is responsible for more than 80% ozone depletion. State the man-made applications which make use of that chemical.