Question

Solar energy breaks oxygen molecules apart in the stratosphere, releasing ____, which combine(s) with additional oxygen molecules to form ____.

Answer 1

Oxygen atom

Ozone Molecule

Step-by-step explanation:

The upper stratosphere and Mesosphere consist of the ozone layer. This layer helps in protecting us from the UV radiations of the Sun. This layer converts the UV radiation into heat energy.

The UV radiation breaks down the Oxygen molecules in oxygen atom which further combines with oxygen molecule to form Ozone. This Ozone molecule breaks to form Oxygen atom and Oxygen molecule. Oxygen atom further recombines with Oxygen molecule to make Ozone molecule. This is known as Ozone-Oxygen cycle. The excess energy is released as heat.

Everyday around 400 million metric tons of Ozone is produced through this cycle.