As I understand it, O3 that is released at ground level is heavier than air, so how did it get to the stratosphere?? Does the Ozone layer regenerate and if so, how?
Would the effect of gravity be less, at such a distance from the earth....?
2007-06-01 05:29:02 · 4 answers · asked by mant 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Just looked at wikipedia article (thank you)..
Am I right in thinking that oxygen and ozone form an equilibrium:
O2 + UV ---> O3 + O <------> 2O2 ??
2007-06-01 06:24:27 · update #1
You are right - some ozone is generated at ground level from reactions of various pollutants, but it is also generated by different reactions higher up, due to the uv light. Thus transport from ground level to the stratosphere is not really an issue, which is good because, as you point out, that would be working against gravity. See this link for more details.
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I added another link with more about the ozone depletion reaction. It explains that the ozone can react as you described, but that certain compounds can speed up this reaction greatly - and it's pollution with these types of compounds that is responsible for the "ozone hole". Apparently the ozone depletion reaction occurs on the surface of small ice crystals that form in the atmosphere during winter!
2007-06-01 05:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by WildOtter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ozone generates continuously from Oxigen and UV ligth from sun, as UV is quenched by atmospheric Oxigen, Ozone is formed only at high altitude.
2007-06-01 05:40:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the very high altitude you find Atmospheric ozone, the presssure is very low. You are quite right gravity is much less. Ozone is made from atmospheric oxygen:
3O2 -------> 2O3
2007-06-01 05:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it keeps on regenerating and degrading. Its produced when UV rays act upon O2 molecules.
2007-06-01 05:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋