Environmental Studies · Geography

Atmospheric Structure and Ozone

1,401 Questions

Atmospheric structure and ozone layer topics examine the Earth's atmospheric layers, the impact of solar radiation, and ozone depletion mechanisms. These environmental science concepts are crucial for general awareness sections in multiple competitive examinations. Review these questions to solidify your understanding of the stratosphere, polar vortex effects, and greenhouse gases.

Earth's atmospheric layersOzone layer depletionSolar ultraviolet radiationPolar vortex effectsCarbon dioxide impactOzone-depleting substances

Atmospheric Structure and Ozone Questions

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Pollutant likely to deplete ozone layer is?

  1. CO

  2. Nitrogen oxides

  3. Chlorofluorocarbons

  4. Both B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  • Nitrous oxide is stable at ground level and breaks down when it reaches the stratosphere to form nitrogen oxides, that trigger ozone-destruction. 
  • The main cause of ozone depletion are halocarbon refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, halons).
  • So, the correct option is 'Both B and C'.
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Ozone layer of upper atmosphere is being destroyed by

  1. Chlorofluorocarbon
  2. $SO _2$
  3. Photochemical oxidants/$O _2$ and $CO _2$

  4. Smog
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ozone layer is formed in the stratosphere of the atmosphere by the action of UV rays on the oxygen molecules. This ozone layer acts as absorbant for the harmful UV radiations and so, these radiation do not cross the troposphere to reach the earth's surface. However, the ozone depleting pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons reach the stratosphere and break when exposed to the UV rays. This process releases the reactive chlorine which further reacts with ozone to form simple oxygen. That is how the ozone layer is depleted. Hence, the correct answer is 'Chlorofluorocarbons'.

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Ultraviolet radiations from sunlight causes a reaction that produce.

  1. Fluorides

  2. Carbon monoxide

  3. Sulphur dioxide

  4. Ozone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ultraviolet radiations cause photochemical splitting of oxygen molecules in the stratosphere. The nascent oxygen combines with molecular oxygen to form ozone. In troposphere nascent oxygen comes from nitrogen dioxide.

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Chief air pollutant which is likely to deplete ozone layer is ________.

  1. Sulphur dioxide

  2. Carbon dioxide

  3. Carbon monoxide

  4. Nitrogen oxides and fluorocarbons
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The ozone depleting substances include the chlorofluorocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride etc because these split up when exposed to UV radiations and release the reactive chlorine and bromine. These reactive species of chlorine and bromine then react with ozone to release the nascent oxygen. Sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases. Carbon monoxide is an air pollutant.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Nitrogen oxides and fluorocarbons'.

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Ozone depletion in stratosphere shall result in.

  1. Forest fires

  2. Increased incidence of skin cancer

  3. Global warming

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Ozone depletion in Stratosphere shall result in infiltration of UV A and UV B rays that would result in increased incidents of skin cancer
So, the correct answer is'Increased incidence of skin cancer'
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Ozone hole is caused by

  1. Acetylene

  2. Ethylene

  3. Chlorofluorocarbons

  4. Methane
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Ozone hole refers to the depletion of the ozone layer present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere. The chlorofluorocarbons are the paraffinated halogens that enter the stratosphere with winds and split up when exposed to the UV rays. They release reactive chlorine which further reacts with the ozone to release diatomic oxygen. The ozone hole shows a low concentration of ozone which is less than 220 DU. It is more prominent over Antarctica due to polar vortex and formation of the polar stratospheric clouds.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Chlorofluorocarbons'.

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Peeling of ozone umbrella is due to

  1. CFCs

  2. PAN
  3. $CO _2$

  4. Coal burning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Among the five layers of the earth's atmosphere, ozone is present in the stratosphere which absorbs UV radiation before it reaches the ground. The main cause of ozone depletion is manufactured chemicals especially CFCs, these compounds reach the stratosphere by winds, where they release halogen atoms through photodissociation and cause the breakdown of ozone into oxygen. The ozone hole formed due to this increase the exposure of direct UV rays on earth carrying the potential risk of skin cancer and other negative effects

So, the correct answer is 'CFCs'

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Chlorofluorocarbons are responsible for

  1. Acid rain

  2. Ozone layer depletion

  3. Global warming

  4. Thermal inversion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ozone is found in high concentration in the stratosphere of the earth's surface in the form of ozone blanket or commonly known as the ozone layer. The vital function of ozone is to absorb the sun's ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the ground hence protecting the earth from its harmful effect. But the ozone-depleting substance such as Chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxides, etc that reacting with the ozone layer by releasing the reactive chlorine and cause depletion of it forming ozone hole. The concentration of ozone is less than 220 DU in the hole.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Ozone layer depletion'.

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Number of ozone depleters identified by Viena convention for Protection of Ozone Layer (1992) is

  1. 19

  2. 17

  3. 15

  4. 13
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer is a multilateral environmental agreement signed in 1985.
  • It provided frameworks for international reductions in the production of chlorofluorocarbons due to their contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer and the resulting increase in the threat of skin cancer.
  • The Number of ozone depleters identified by Viena convention for Protection of Ozone Layer (1992) is 19.
  • So, the correct answer is '19'.
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Nitrogen oxides released in the stratosphere cause ozone depletion due to

  1. Catalysing conversion of ozone to oxygen

  2. Binding ozone

  3. Reacting with ozone

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Nitrogen oxide which causes ozone depletion is Nitrous oxide. It is similar to CFCs in that it is stable when it is released in the troposphere but when it reaches stratosphere, it releases ozone depleting substances which react with ozone and cause its degradation through nitrogen-oxide catalysed reaction.
So, the correct answer is 'Reacting with ozone'. 
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

$O _3$ in ozone layer is formed by action of

  1. IR radiation

  2. Blue radiation

  3. UV radiation

  4. Other radiations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Ozone molecule (O3) is formed in the stratosphere in presence of UV radiations.
The first step is the breaking of an oxygen molecule into two oxygen atoms by UV radiation:
                                       UV
                             O3---------------> O + O
The Oxygen atoms then combine with oxygen molecule to form a molecule of ozone:
                           O2 + O -----------------> O3
So, the correct answer is 'UV radiation'.
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

What does high flying crafts deplete?

  1. Atmosphere

  2. Ozone Layer

  3. Biosphere

  4. Hydrosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

High-flying aircraft, particularly supersonic jets, release nitrogen oxides and other pollutants directly into the stratosphere. These substances catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules, leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.