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What characteristic(s) of CFCs make them more likely to reach the stratosphere than most other compounds containing chlorine?

What characteristic(s) of CFCs make them more likely to reach the stratosphere than most other compounds containing chlorine?

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Asked by Arban Dobrova, Last updated: Apr 11, 2024

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3 Answers

A. Cook

A. Cook

Find happiness in writing new things.

A. Cook
A. Cook, English Professor, M.A, Ph.D, Kentucky

Answered Dec 17, 2018

CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, contain refrigerants. This means the answer is answer A: refrigerants that contain chlorine but not hydrogen are so stable that they do not break down in the lower atmosphere after being released. The chlorine or bromine reacts with ozone, causing it to change back to oxygen and damaging the ozone layer.
Phew! That’s a long answer!

So, this basically means that a CFC molecule has a very tight bond between all its atoms. It’s like superglue that has dried. You’re not prying that off. No matter how hard you try. When it comes into contact with ozone, the bonds change, and oxygen is produced.

This is why the EPA banned CFCs way back in the 1970s. Sure, we still use a lot of products that damage the earth, but we’re getting better. We’re getting better, and that’s what matters.

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Danny R. Glover

Danny R. Glover

Danny R. Glover
Danny R. Glover, Editor, New York City

Answered Aug 29, 2018

These come with chemical bonds that are so strong that even if they are already close to the outer layers of the earth, they will still not break down. The refrigerant may contain either bromine or chlorine. These elements will react with the oxygen found in the ozone layer.

This can lead to the degeneration of the ozone layer. This explains the changes that have happened to the world so far. There is an obvious problem with climate change. At the same time, global warming is affecting the world. There are some places that are more submerged in water as compared to before.

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John Smith

John Smith

John Smith
John Smith

Answered Apr 17, 2017

Refrigerants that contain chlorine but not hydrogen are so stable that they do not break down in the lower atmosphere after being released. The chlorine or bromine reacts with ozone causing it to change back to oxygen, thus destroying the ozone layer.
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