Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Name the common refrigerant. How does it deplete the ozone layer?
Chemical Equations/Structures
Long Answer
Advertisements
Solution
The main refrigerants used are freon chlorofluorocarbons (CFC).
They deplete the ozone layer.
- The chlorofluorocarbons are decomposed by ultraviolet rays to highly reactive chlorine, which is produced in the atomic form.
\[\ce{CF2Cl2_{(g)} ->[ultraviolet] CF2Cl_{(g)} + \underset{(free radical)}{Cl_{(g)}}}\] - The free radical [Cl] reacts with ozone, and chlorine monoxide is formed.
\[\ce{Cl_{(g)} + O3_{(g)} -> ClO_{(g)} + O2_{(g)}}\]
This causes depletion of ozone. - Chlorine monoxide further reacts with atomic oxygen and produces more free chlorine radicals.
\[\ce{ClO_{(g)} + O_{(g)} -> Cl_{(g)} + O2_{(g)}}\]
Again this free radical [Cl] destroys ozone, and the process continues, thereby giving rise to ozone depletion.
shaalaa.com
Is there an error in this question or solution?
RELATED QUESTIONS
Give reasons for the following:
Liquid ammonia is used as a refrigerant in ice plants.
Give reasons for the following:
Aqueous solution of ammonia gives a pungent smell.
Name a compound prepared by ammonia and is used as explosive.
Ammonia reacts with excess chlorine to form ______.
Give three uses of ammonium chloride.
Explain the following:
Ammonium nitrate is not used in the laboratory preparation of NH3.
Give one use each of four different compounds of ammonia.
Ammonium salt decompose on heating. What other property do ammonium salts have in common?
Why drying agents such as P2O5 and CaCl2 are not used to dry NH3?
- Which feature of the ammonia molecule leads to the formation of the ammonium ion when ammonia dissolves in water?
- Name the other ion formed when ammonia dissolves in water.
- Give one test that can be used to detect the presence of the ion produced in (b).
