OZONE LAYER Meaning and
Definition
-
The ozone layer refers to a region of Earth's stratosphere, primarily situated about 10 to 50 kilometers above the surface, where a concentration of ozone (O3) molecules exist. It acts as an integral shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun.
Composed of three oxygen atoms, ozone is created when solar ultraviolet radiation interacts with molecular oxygen (O2), dissociating it into individual oxygen atoms. These highly reactive atoms can then combine with other molecular oxygen to form ozone. The ozone layer prevents a significant portion of the Sun's ultraviolet-B (UVB) and ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation from reaching Earth's surface.
An essential characteristic of the ozone layer is its ability to selectively absorb the majority of UVB and a portion of UVA radiation, which otherwise would have detrimental effects on various living organisms. By absorbing UV radiation, the ozone layer acts as a protective shield, reducing the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and other harmful health impacts in humans. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in preventing damage to phytoplankton, marine life, crops, and other vulnerable ecosystems.
Due to human activities, such as the release of ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), brominated flame retardants, and halons, the ozone layer has been significantly depleted. This depletion allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer, formation of the Antarctic ozone hole, and increased UV-related risks. Ongoing international efforts, like the Montreal Protocol, have been successful in reducing the production and emission of ozone-depleting substances, aiding in the slow recovery and restoration of the ozone layer.
Common Misspellings for OZONE LAYER
- izone layer
- kzone layer
- lzone layer
- pzone layer
- 0zone layer
- 9zone layer
- oxone layer
- osone layer
- oaone layer
- ozine layer
- ozkne layer
- ozlne layer
- ozpne layer
- oz0ne layer
- oz9ne layer
- ozobe layer
- ozome layer
- ozoje layer
- ozohe layer
Etymology of OZONE LAYER
The word "ozone" comes from the Greek word "ozon", which means "to smell". The term was coined in the 1840s by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein, who discovered a distinct smell during electrical discharge experiments. He realized that this smell was due to a new gas he had created, and he named it "ozone" based on the word "ozein", which means "to smell" in Greek.
The phrase "ozone layer" refers to a specific region of high concentration of ozone in the stratosphere, which was discovered by French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson in 1913. The ozone layer acts as a protective layer in the Earth's atmosphere, absorbing most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
Similar spelling word for OZONE LAYER
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
