Question

Explain how ozone in the stratosphere is formed.

Answer 1

In the stratosphere, ozone is formed when ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks apart an oxygen molecule (O2) into two separate oxygen atoms (O). When a freed oxygen atom collides with another oxygen molecule, it combines to form an ozone molecule (O3). This process of formation and destruction of ozone continues as long as there is a source of ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere. The amount of ozone in the stratosphere is kept in balance by chemical reactions that destroy ozone, such as reactions with certain chemicals like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) that are no longer used due to their damaging effect on the ozone layer.