Final answer:
A) 100,000. A single chlorine atom can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules, acting as a catalyst in a reaction chain while in the stratosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
A single chlorine atom, released from substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has the potential to destroy many ozone molecules.
The destruction occurs because chlorine acts as a catalyst in the breakdown of ozone. One chlorine atom can react with an ozone molecule (O3), converting it into oxygen molecules (O2) and then starting the cycle again with a new ozone molecule.
This reaction chain allows a single chlorine atom to destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules before it is finally removed from the stratosphere.
It's important to note that most atmospheric chlorine exists in forms that are not catalysts for ozone depletion, such as Cl2 and ClONO2.
Chlorine acts as a catalyst in the breakdown of ozone molecules in the stratosphere. It initiates the breakdown of ozone and combines with a freed oxygen atom to create two oxygen molecules.
After each reaction, chlorine begins the destructive cycle again with another ozone molecule. One chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules.