The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays by absorbing them before they reach Earth’s surface. The ozone layer is made up of three layers that surround our planet. It absorbs most of the sun’s UV radiation, protecting life on Earth from dangerous levels of UV exposure.
Where is the ozone layer located?
The ozone layer is located between the stratosphere (the uppermost part) and troposphere (the lowermost part). The ozone layer is composed of two different gases: oxygen and nitrogen. These gases are separated by an invisible layer called the “ozone layer.” This layer acts as a shield against harmful UV radiation.
What Is Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer absorbs some of the sun’s energy, protecting life on Earth from dangerous levels of ultraviolet light. It does this by splitting the oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms and oxygen ions. Oxygen atoms are neutral, so they do not absorb any energy. However, oxygen ions are positively charged, attracting negatively charged particles such as electrons. The oxygen ions then combine with these electrons to form ozone molecules.
Why Does the Ozone Layer Protect Us?
The ozone layer helps protect us from harmful UV radiation because it absorbs some of the energy from the sun. This means that less energy reaches the ground and we are protected from skin cancer and other diseases caused by exposure to sunlight.
How Do We Know That the Ozone Layer Works?
Scientists first discovered the existence of the ozone layer in 1958 when scientists noticed that the sky was getting darker at night. They realized that there must be something blocking out the light coming from the sun. In 1985, NASA launched the satellite “Ozone Mapper” to measure the thickness of the ozone layer. Since then, scientists have been able to use satellites to monitor the ozone layer and determine how much damage it has suffered due to human activity.
What Causes Damage to the Ozone Layer? (and How Can We Prevent It?)
The main cause of ozone depletion is chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals used as refrigerants and propellants in aerosol products such as hairspray and deodorant. CFCs were once considered safe because they did not break down into other compounds that would harm the environment. However, in 1989, scientists found that CFCs were breaking down into chlorine atoms and bromine atoms, which react with oxygen molecules in the stratosphere to form chlorine oxides and bromine oxides. These gases destroy the protective ozone layer.
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