Ozone layer

Ozone layer

 

What is ozone ?

 

Ozone is the second layer of the earth’s atmosphere.   Ozone is a molecule which is formed by three atoms of oxygen. Ozone is natural gas that is available in the earth atmosphere.  Ozone layer is  prohibited all solar radiation reaching to the earth atmosphere including certain types of ultra violet radiation and some harmful radiation which are injurious for health or damage living things.

It is also called as ozone shield. Ozone layer is also called ozonosphere. And ozone layers absorbs the sun ultraviolet radiations. The formula of the ozone layer Is the  O_3.

 

How ozone produce

 

Ozone is created with  the help of the  Ultra violet  rays. This ultraviolet radiation  is  striking the oxygen molecules containing two atoms of oxygen and  this oxygen molecules split into individual oxygen atoms or atomic oxygen or free oxygen (O) atoms. These oxygen (O) then combines with molecular oxygen to form ozone (O₃ ) .

Chemically ,ozone as given :--

                           

O₂      UV           O + O

 

 

O+O₂                         O_{3     (OZONE)}

 

_ozone in the atmosphere is contained about 90 % in the stratosphere.

The molecules of the ozone is unstable and when the ultraviolet radiation strikes on the ozone , it split into a molecules of oxygen (O₂  ) and free oxygen. This process is continuous process. And this continuous process is called as ozone-oxygen cycle.

 

How ozone is getting depleted

 

The ozone layer can be depleted by the by halogen gases containing chlorine or bromine.  The ozone layer is also depleted by the substances like nitric oxide nitrous oxide hydroxyl etc. due to this substances, the ozone layer is getting thinner. Chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is a molecule that contains the elements like carbons , chlorine, and fluorine. And this chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are used mainly in refrigerants , plastic products and in fire extinguishers. These gas released at the surface and these gas spreads all over the in the air from the lower atmosphere to the upper atmosphere through the wind transport patterns. These gases are highly stable. And are capable surviving into the stratosphere. Where Cl and Br are released by the action of the Ultra Violet rays. And these gas are free to initiate and a chain reaction is capable to break down the ozone molecules. Due to this breakdown of ozone , absorption of the ultra violet rays is reduced. And this ultra violet radiation is able to reach the earth atmosphere with high intensity.

 

 

Important features of ozone layer:--

 

The ozone layer protect us our environment from harmful UV radiation. And unwanted harmful gases.

Man made ozone gas is used for water and air purification.

It is used in various industrial purpose.

The symbol of ozone layer is O₃

_ozone is pale blue gas with the pungent smell.

In the earth atmosphere , Ozone layer is thicker over the poles than over the equator.