CFC's? What are CFC's?
CFC's or Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. CFC's are used in the creation of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants. They are categorized as halocarbons, a group of compounds that incorporate carbon and halogen atoms. Once CFC's reach the stratosphere, they break apart and release chlorine atoms, the resulting effect is the destruction of the ozone layer.
Brief reminder of the Chapman cycle
The stratosphere is in a constant cycle with oxygen molecules and their interaction with ultraviolet rays. It is known as a cycle because it is the constant switch between 2 different molecules of oxygen. The ozone layer is created when ultraviolet rays react with oxygen molecules (O2) to create ozone (O3) and atomic oxygen (O).
How do CFC's destroy the ozone layer?
Chlorine acts as a catalyst in the When UV radiation hits a CFC molecule it causes one chlorine atom to break away due to the energy absorbed from the UV radiation. The oxygen molecule of ozone is unstable, hence when it hits a chlorine atom, the chlorine bonds with one of the oxygen molecules, destroying the ozone molecule and turning it into oxygen, while forming a ClO bond. When an oxygen molecule hits the molecule of chloro monoxide, the two oxygen atoms join and form an oxygen molecule. When this happens, the chlorine atom is free and can continue to destroy ozone. Meaning that a small amount of CFC's can cause a great amount of damage to the ozone located in the upper atmosphere.
Chlorine breaks away from CFC and hits an Ozone molecule
Cl+O3→ClO+O2
It forms chloro-monoxide
A free floating oxygen molecule reacts with the ClO forming O2
ClO+O.→Cl+O2
Chlorine breaks away from CFC and hits an Ozone molecule
Cl+O3→ClO+O2
It forms chloro-monoxide
A free floating oxygen molecule reacts with the ClO forming O2
ClO+O.→Cl+O2
Free Radicals
Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen reacts with certain molecules, existing for a brief period of time before reacting to produce a more stable molecule.
