What does the stratosphere contain and what does it absorb?

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs a portion of the radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the planet’s surface. Most importantly, it absorbs the portion of UV light called UVB. UVB is a kind of ultraviolet light from the sun (and sun lamps) that has several harmful effects.

What does the stratosphere absorb from the sun?

The stratosphere gets its name because it is stratified, or layered: as elevation increases, the stratosphere gets warmer. The stratosphere increases in warmth with elevation because ozone gases in the upper layers absorb intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

What rays does the stratosphere absorb?

A freed oxygen atom then combines with another oxygen molecule to form a molecule of ozone. There is so much oxygen in our atmosphere, that these high-energy ultraviolet rays are completely absorbed in the stratosphere.

What does the stratosphere do?

The stratosphere is where you’ll find the very important ozone layer. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. Life as we know it wouldn’t be possible without this layer of protection.

How does stratosphere absorb heat?

The direct heat source for the stratosphere is the Sun. The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs high energy ultraviolet radiation, which breaks the ozone molecule (3-oxygens) apart into an oxygen molecule (2-oxygens) and an oxygen atom (1-oxygen).

Why do jet planes fly in stratosphere?

Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. Because of this, few clouds are found in this layer and almost all clouds occur in the lower, more humid troposphere.

How does ozone layer protect the Earth?

The stratospheric ozone layer is Earth’s “sunscreen” – protecting living things from too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The emission of ozone depleting substances has been damaging the ozone layer.

How does ozone absorb UV rays?

Ozone absorbs UV-B radiation from the sun. When an ozone molecule absorbs UV-B, it comes apart into an oxygen molecule (O2) and a separate oxygen atom (O). Later, the two components can reform the ozone molecule (O3).

What gases are in the stratosphere?

In the stratosphere, air temperature begins to increase. Ozone, a form of oxygen with three atoms per molecule, is concentrated in the stratosphere. Ozone absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the sun, preventing this radiation from reaching Earth’s surface.

What is destroying the ozone layer?

Ozone depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons—gases formerly found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants—are released into the atmosphere (see details below).

How is ozone produced and destroyed in the stratosphere?

Ozone is created when the kind of oxygen we breathe—O2—is split apart by sunlight into single oxygen atoms. Single oxygen atoms can re-join to make O2, or they can join with O2 molecules to make ozone (O3). Ozone is destroyed when it reacts with molecules containing nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine.

What happens if the ozone layer is destroyed?

radiation. A diminished ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. For people, overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems. Increased UV can also lead to reduced crop yield and disruptions in the marine food chain.

What has depleted the earth ozone layer?

ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica.

What is the current status of the ozone hole 2020?

Scientists from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service confirm that the 2021 Antarctic ozone hole has almost reached its end, following a season with a considerably large and prolonged ozone hole. Its closure will occur only a few days earlier than in 2020, which was the longest lived since 1979.

Does pollution destroy the ozone layer?

The hole in the ozone layer is caused by air pollutants. Chemicals used as refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), contain chlorine atoms. Releasing chlorine atoms into the atmosphere destroys ozone.

Is there still an ozone hole?

Antarctic ozone hole is 13th largest on record and expected to persist into November. The 2021 Antarctic ozone hole reached its maximum area on October 7 and ranks 13th largest since 1979, scientists from NOAA and NASA reported today.

How do CFCs destroy ozone?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules.

Why did we get a hole in the ozone layer?

The ozone hole has developed because people have polluted the atmosphere with chemicals containing chlorine and bromine. The primary chemicals involved are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs for short), halons, and carbon tetrachloride.

Who discovered ozone hole?

Jonathan Shanklin
In 1985 Jonathan Shanklin was a junior researcher at BAS when he discovered a hole in the invisible shield that protects us from solar radiation. We catch up with him to learn about his work and how it has made a difference. It’s 36 years since scientists first discovered the hole in the ozone layer.

What is the Arctic ozone?

The polar ozone holes are areas of lower concentration of stratospheric ozone that form over the Antarctic and the Arctic due to human activities.

How is ozone created?

Stratospheric ozone is formed naturally through the interaction of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with molecular oxygen (O2). The “ozone layer,” approximately 6 through 30 miles above the Earth’s surface, reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.

What is the hottest layer of the atmosphere?

The thermosphere
The thermosphere is often considered the “hot layer” because it contains the warmest temperatures in the atmosphere. Temperature increases with height until the estimated top of the thermosphere at 500 km. Temperatures can reach as high as 2000 K or 1727 ÂşC in this layer (Wallace and Hobbs 24).