what is the ozone layer all about?

Answer 1

The ozone layer, or ozonosphere layer (rarely used term), is the part of the Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). "Relatively high" means a few parts per million - much higher than the concentrations in the lower atmosphere but still small compared to the main components of the atmosphere. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Its properties were explored in detail by the British meteorologist G. M. B. Dobson, who developed a simple spectrophotometer that could be used to measure stratospheric ozone from the ground. Between 1928 and 1958 Dobson established a worldwide network of ozone monitoring stations which continues to operate today. The "Dobson unit", a convenient measure of the total amount of ozone in a column overhead, is named in his honor.

Answer 2

The ozone layer" refers to the ozone within stratosphere, where over 90% of the earth's ozone resides. Ozone is an irritating, corrosive, colorless gas with a smell something like burning electrical wiring. In fact, ozone is easily produced by any high-voltage electrical arc (spark plugs, Van de Graaff generators, Tesla coils, arc welders). Each molecule of ozone has three oxygen atoms and is produced when oxygen molecules (O2) are broken up by energetic electrons or high energy radiation.

The ozone layer absorbs 97-99% of the sun's high frequency ultraviolet light , light which is potentially damaging to life on earth. Every 1% decrease in the earths ozone shield is projected to increases the amount of UV light exposure to the lower atmosphere by 2%. Because this would cause more ozone to form in the lower atmosphere, it is uncertain how much of UV light would actually reach the earths surface. Recent UV measurements from around the northern hemisphere indicate small UV increases in rural areas and almost no increase in areas near large cities.

Answer 3

At the right altitude, high in the stratosphere, conditions are just right for ultraviolet light from the sun to cause O2 molecules to recombine into O3 molecules. O3 is ozone, which is unstable and breaks down, so the maintenance of the layer depends on an equilibrium between formation and destruction. This O3 prevents much of the UV light from reaching the ground. Since UV light causes sunburns and other damage, that is a good thing. Chlorine interferes with this process, and we have allowed too much chlorine, in the form of Freon and other chemicals, to enter the atmosphere and it is upsetting the balance in favor of less O3.

By the way, this has nothing to do with global warming. It is a completely different environmental problem with different causes and effects.

Answer 4

It protects Earth from the Sun. In some Star Wars movies and others, you will notice when they on a Deserted Planet the people cover themselves to protect from the sun. This about what Earth be like without the ozone layer. Governments that test Nuclear Bombs have punched a hole in the ozone, so, they use the Global Warming Propaganda to blame it on the things common people use to take the focus off their screw up.

Answer 5

Rent the movie An Inconvient Truth by the former Vice-President and former elected President (by popular vote) Al Gore you will learn about the Ozone layer which protects the Earth against harmful radiation as well as Global warming.

Well worth watching.