Question

Automobiles emit?

1) CFCs that cause ozone depletion
2) O₃ directly
3) CO₂ which reacts with hydrocarbons in sunlight to produce ozone
4) NOx and VOCs that react in sunlight to produce ozone

Answer 1

Automobiles do not emit CFCs or O₃ directly; instead, they emit NOx and VOCs, which react in sunlight to produce ozone (O₃) in the troposphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

Automobiles emit various compounds that contribute to air pollution and the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes to photochemical smog. The correct sequence of events involving emissions from automobiles in the context of ozone production is the reaction between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight to produce ozone (O₃).

This process of ozone formation in the troposphere is distinct from stratospheric ozone depletion, which involves compounds like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that release chlorine atoms upon breakdown by ultraviolet light and subsequently damage the ozone layer.