Description

This article is from the Ozone Depletion FAQ, by Robert Parson rparson@spot.colorado.edu with numerous contributions by others.

09 How is ozone created?

Ozone is formed naturally in the upper stratosphere by short
wavelength ultraviolet radiation. Wavelengths less than ~240
nanometers are absorbed by oxygen molecules (O2), which dissociate to
give O atoms. The O atoms combine with other oxygen molecules to
make ozone:

O2 + hv -> O + O (wavelength < 240 nm)
O + O2 -> O3

 

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• prev: 08 How does the composition of the atmosphere change with altitude? (Or, how can CFC's get up to the stratosphere when they are heavier than air?)
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• next: 10 How much ozone is in the layer, and what is a "Dobson Unit" ?

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science, engineering, ozone layer, Chloro Fluoro Carbons, CFC, stratosphere, depletion