How does the ozone layer help us?

Question

How does the ozone layer help us?

Answer 1

keeps the UV rays lower for us.

Answer 2

Short Answer:

How does the ozone layer work?

UV light with wavelengths between 240 and 320 nm is absorbed by ozone, which then falls apart to give an O atom and an O2 molecule.

The O atom soon encounters another O2 molecule, however (at all times, the concentration of O2 far exceeds that of O3), and recreates O3: O3 + hv -> O2 + O O + O2 -> O3 Thus _ozone absorbs UV radiation without itself being consumed_; the net result is to convert UV light into heat.

Indeed, this is what causes the temperature of the stratosphere to increase with altitude, giving rise to the inversion layer that traps molecules in the troposphere. The ozone layer isn't just _in_ the stratosphere; the ozone layer actually determines the form of the stratosphere.

Ozone _is_ destroyed if an O atom and an O3 molecule meet: O + O3 -> 2 O2 ("recombination"). This reaction is slow, however, and if it were the only mechanism for ozone loss, the ozone layer would be about twice as thick as it is.

Certain trace species, such as the oxides of Nitrogen (NO and NO2), Hydrogen (H, OH, and HO2) and chlorine (Cl, ClO and ClO2) can catalyze the recombination.

The present ozone layer is a result of a competition between photolysis and recombination; increasing the recombination rate, by increasing the concentration of catalysts, results in a thinner ozone layer.

Answer 3

The ozone layer helps us by preventing most ultraviolet (UV) and other high-energy radiation from penetrating to the earth's surface but does allow through sufficient ultraviolet rays to support the activation of vitamin D in humans. The full radiation, if unhindered by this filtering effect, would destroy animal tissue. Higher levels of radiation resulting from the depletion of the ozone layer have been linked with increases in skin cancers and cataracts and have been implicated in the decline of certain amphibian species.

Answer 4

The ozone layer protects us from UV radiation. The gases in our atmosphere is what protects us from meteors, due to frictional forces as a meteor slams into our atmosphere at high speeds. Certain chemicals we put into the air can deplete the ozone, such as CFC's.

Answer 5

The sun rays have ill infecting x-rays whcih can cause cancer and skin ailments... the ozone layer filters the x-rays so that a minimum of x-rays reaches the earth.
In Australia, where the ozone layer has diminished , it is not safeto lay i nthe sun for more then 10 minutes.

Answer 6

TAll good answers here !
the ozone layer helps to give our sky its blue color - so much nicer than looking out into the blackness of space .

Answer 7

It prevents harmful cosmic rays from entering out atmosphere. These cosmic rays such as x-rays can be very harmful to your health, even more so than UVA or UVB light, although these may sound harmless most of them are blocked by the ozone, without the ozone it would be dangerous to go outside for extended periods of time without proper protection. and we aren't talking just suncream!

Answer 8

It protects the Earth from the suns harmful rays.

Answer 9

it protects from harmful rays

without the ozone it will be dangerous from harmful rays

Answer 10

It is a filter for the UV and allowes light deflection (reflection). The pollution (CO2....) prevents light and heat to be sent back into space so there you have global warming :(

Answer 11

It blocks parts of the sun's UV radiation so it can't damage our skin. More specifically, UV radiation can cause thymidine dimers in our DNA. Usually that's repaired, but if it isn't, then you can get cancer.