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Difficulty: EasyGreenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and Ozone Layer Depletion

Match each atmospheric component listed on the left with its corresponding environmental function or impact listed on the right.

  • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)Decomposing under ultraviolet radiation to produce chlorine radicals that destroy the protective atmospheric layer
  • Carbon(IV) oxide (CO2\text{CO}_2)Absorbing terrestrial thermal infrared radiation to maintain planetary temperature via the greenhouse effect
  • Stratospheric ozone (O3\text{O}_3)Filtering high-energy solar ultraviolet radiation to protect biological life on Earth's surface

Answer

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) match with decomposing under UV light to produce chlorine radicals that destroy ozone; Carbon(IV) oxide (CO2\text{CO}_2) matches with absorbing terrestrial thermal infrared radiation to cause global warming; Stratospheric ozone (O3\text{O}_3) matches with filtering high-energy solar ultraviolet radiation.
Chlorofluorocarbons generate free chlorine radicals in the upper atmosphere that deplete stratospheric ozone; Carbon(IV) oxide absorbs Earth's re-radiated infrared radiation to drive global warming; and stratospheric ozone absorbs incoming solar ultraviolet radiation to protect life.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the atmospheric mechanism of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs photolyze under UV light to release free chlorine radicals, driving stratospheric ozone depletion.
Chlorine radicals act as catalysts in the cyclic destruction of O3\text{O}_3 molecules.
2
Determine the atmospheric mechanism of Carbon(IV) oxide (CO2\text{CO}_2)
CO2\text{CO}_2 absorbs thermal infrared energy radiated from Earth's surface.
This trapped heat enhances the greenhouse effect, raising average global temperatures.
3
Determine the protective role of Stratospheric ozone (O3\text{O}_3)
Stratospheric ozone absorbs biological harmful UV-B and UV-C rays.
Ozone photolysis and regeneration absorb high-energy solar radiation before it hits the surface.

Key Concept

Distinction between greenhouse warming mechanisms (infrared absorption) and ozone layer depletion mechanisms (radical-catalyzed photolysis)
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Topics

Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and Ozone Layer Depletion

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