Question

Which of the following statements about ozone is correct?

1) Ozone is a pollutant in both the troposphere and the stratosphere.
2) Ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere but not in the stratosphere.
3) Ozone is a pollutant in the stratosphere but not in the troposphere.
4) Ozone is not a pollutant in either the troposphere or the stratosphere.

Answer 1

Ozone acts as a pollutant in the troposphere where it forms smog, but in the stratosphere, it forms a protective layer that absorbs UV radiation. Hence, the correct statement is that ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere but not in the stratosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about ozone is that ozone is a pollutant in the troposphere but not in the stratosphere. Ozone, or O3, is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms. When ozone is located in the troposphere (the layer closest to Earth's surface), it is referred to as bad ozone because it contributes to smog, which causes respiratory health problems and reduces visibility. However, in the stratosphere, ozone forms a layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth. The depletion of ozone in the stratosphere due to human activities, such as the emission of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, was a significant environmental concern, but international agreements have led to the phasing out of these substances and a gradual recovery of the ozone layer.