Question

The chlorine in CFCs and HCFCs;

A) Will rain out of the atmosphere.
B) Will not dissolve in water.
C) is heavier than air and cannot rise to the stratosphere.
D) Will dissolve in water.

Answer 1

The chlorine in CFCs and HCFCs rises into the stratosphere where it catalyzes the destruction of ozone molecules, and does not easily wash out or dissolve in water. Replacements like HCFCs and HFCs are being used to reduce ozone depletion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chlorine in CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) does not simply rain out of the atmosphere nor dissolve readily in water. Chlorofluorocarbons are very stable and, consequently, do not decompose in the lower atmosphere to be washed out by rain. They can rise into the stratosphere where ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks them down, releasing atomic chlorine that participates in ozone depletion. This is because the atomic chlorine acts as a catalyst in the reaction that converts ozone into oxygen, with one chlorine atom capable of destroying thousands of ozone molecules before it is eventually removed from the stratosphere.

Finding alternatives to these compounds is a key part of global efforts to protect the ozone layer. HCFCs and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons, with no chlorine or bromine to form radicals) are among the alternatives being used since they have a reduced impact on the ozone layer.