Question

State how CFC breaks the ozone layer.

Answer 1

Depletion of O₃ by CFC:

CFC is broken by UV rays of sunlight to produce [Cl] atom or free radical [Cl] which is highly reactive in the atomic form and it forms ClO_(g) with O₂.

\[\ce{CFCl3->[UV(Sun)] CFCl2 + Cl(atom)}\]

\[\ce{Cl(g) + O3(g) → ClO(g) + O2(g)}\] 

This depletes ozone.

ClO further produces more[Cl] free radical and destroys more of O₃, thereby resulting in ozone depletion.

\[\ce{ClO(g) + O(g)→ Cl(g) + O2(g)}\]