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There is no limit to the number of ozone molecules the chlorine from a CFC molecule can destroy, or how long it will stay "up there". Over time, chlorine will find something else to bond to and leave the ozone layer. The hope is that once we stop delivering such compounds to the atmosphere, that can eventually happen.
Right now estimations vary from 1 : 10,000 to 1 : 1,000,000 before it leaves the ozone layer.
Chlorine from CFCs are photo-excited into acting like catalysts. Catalysts participate in a reaction (such as the decay of ozone), but are unchanged when the reaction is carried to completion. So the only way for the effect of chlorine to be dissipated is by competing reactions that take it out of the area and / or change its nature to be unreactive or one-time reactive.
Chlorine is a catalyst for ozone destruction. It is restored to it initial state once it has completed its reaction, so it can destroy ozone molecules again. Until some other competing process ties CFC up in some more permanent way, it will keep destroying ozone.
It should be noted that most chlorine in the atmosphere is not from CFC's, but from naturally occurring water vapor off of our oceans.
So there is no "hard coded" limit to its ozone destructive capabilities. We just have to wait until it is removed by time.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are broken down by UV radiation in the stratosphere, releasing chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules, breaking them apart and reducing the ozone concentration in the ozone layer. The resulting reduction in ozone molecules weakens the ozone layer's ability to shield the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoNone. Ozone is made from oxygen, so encountering an oxygen (or nitrogen) molecule is no big deal. Water vapor, or a chlorine or oxygen atom is something else again. The effect there is 1:1 (or more in the case of chlorine) ozone molecules destroyed.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOzone doesn't destroy chlorine. Chlorine atoms in the ozone layer with continue to effect ozone molecule, after ozone molecule until it finds something else to attach to, or falls below the ozone layer, back towards the earths suface.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSee "What is causing the depletion of the ozone layer?" the cfc or clorafloracarbons ans brakeing down the ozone by changeing O3 to o1
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoCFC molecules react with ozone. They decompose the ozone molecules.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIt is believed that 1 molecule of CFC can destroy about 100,000 molecules of ozone. It decomposes ozone into oxygen molecule and oxygen and nascent oxygen.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoA single chlorine molecule can destroy upto 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is because of the chain reaction started by chlorine.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe CFC molecules are man made chemicals for refrigeration. The molecules on reaction release 2 gases. These gases are Chlorine and Fluorine.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agooxygen and fluoride
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Do CFCs strengthen the ozone layer?
No, the chlorine and other chemicals in CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) destroy the ozone molecules and weaken the ozone layer.
What human-made chemicals cause the ozone to deplete?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and certain types of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are human-made chemicals that cause ozone depletion. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they break down and release chlorine and bromine atoms, which then destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
What are 3 sources of the CFCs that destroy ozone molecules?
3 sources of CFC's are:Aerosol SpraysRefrigeratorsAir conditioners.
How do humans destroy the ozone?
The humans destroy ozone by usng CFCs. These are compounds which react with ozone to deplete it.
How do CFCs destroy ozone depletion by what?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) break down in the upper atmosphere due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This break down releases chlorine atoms, which then catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This process leads to the thinning of the ozone layer, allowing more harmful UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface.
Do CFCs strengthen the ozone layer?
No, the chlorine and other chemicals in CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) destroy the ozone molecules and weaken the ozone layer.
What can destroy the ozone?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) destroy ozone in the ozone layer.
What human-made chemicals cause the ozone to deplete?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and certain types of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are human-made chemicals that cause ozone depletion. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they break down and release chlorine and bromine atoms, which then destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
What are 3 sources of the CFCs that destroy ozone molecules?
3 sources of CFC's are:Aerosol SpraysRefrigeratorsAir conditioners.
Why does CFC react to ozone?
Chlorine and bromine separate from the CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and destroy the ozone molecules. The chlorine and bromine atoms are not changed, so they continue destroying ozone. One chlorine atom can destroy up to 100,000 molecules of ozone during its lifetime in the atmosphere.
How do humans destroy the ozone?
The humans destroy ozone by usng CFCs. These are compounds which react with ozone to deplete it.
How do CFCs destroy atmospheric molecules?
See "What is causing the depletion of the ozone layer?" in the "Related questions" section below.
How can chloroflourocarbons destroy an ozone?
Yes, CFCs can destroy the ozone layer. They react with ozone present in ozone layer and decompose it.
How do CFCs destroy ozone depletion by what?
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) break down in the upper atmosphere due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This break down releases chlorine atoms, which then catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This process leads to the thinning of the ozone layer, allowing more harmful UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface.
What causes the ozone hole to expand?
As the CFCs are carried to Antarctica there is a big ozone hole. Chlorine and bromine atoms from CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) separate and destroy ozone molecules, but remain active for several years continuing their destruction. So if more CFCs will be produced in the world more CFCs will be carried to Antarctica by the polar winds and more depletion and the rate of depletion will exceed the rate of formation of ozone molecules resulting in the expansion of ozone hole over Antarctica.
What is the pollutant believed to be causing damage to the ozone layer?
The pollutant that is beleived to be causing damage is CFC. It is a synthetic chemical that might lead to ozone depletion.
Which atoms in the CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozine molecules in the upper atmosphere?
Chlorine atoms in CFC molecules can destroy thousands of ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere. When CFCs break down in the stratosphere due to UV radiation, the chlorine atoms released can catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion.
