CFCs and OzoneBy Peter Sawyer

CFCs Breakdown

CFCs are Halogenoalkanes

They contain only Chlorine, fluorine and carbon!

All the hydrogen's have been replaced.

CFCs Breakdown

Very stable due to the CARBON-HALOGEN bonds

CFCs properties

VERY stable Volatile Non-flammable Non-toxic

Used in fridges, aerosols, air con and dry cleaning.

Alternatives to CFCs

HCFCs or Hydrochloroflurocarbons HFCs or Hydrofluorocarbons

These are used as temporary alternatives to CFCs until safer products are found

HCFC still breaks down OZONE but in smaller amounts. They are broken down after 10-20 years.

HFCs are broken down in the atmosphere but don’t contain chlorine so don’t effect the OZONE.

OZONE

Is in a layer of the atmosphere called the Stratosphere

It contains most of the O3 molecules.

Ozone is formed when UV sunlight hits the oxygen molecules.

Ozone

If the correct amount of UV light hits a oxygen molecule, it splits into free radicals. The free radicals combine with other oxygen to form OZONE.

CFCs absorb UV radiation and spilt to form chlorine free radicals. These free radicals then destroy OZONE, then regenerate and destroy even more!

Ozone

1 Chorine Atom can destroy 10000 ozone molecules before becoming stable!

Nitrogen oxides free radicals can also destory the ozone. This is produced from planes and car fumes. It effects the ozone in the same way as CFCs.

These are not the only ones!

Ozone

If the correct amount of UV light hits a oxygen molecule, it splits into free radicals. The free radicals combine with other oxygen to form OZONE.

CFCs absorb UV radiation and spilt to form chlorine free radicals. These free radicals then destroy OZONE, then regenerate and destroy even more!