Ozone Layer
Definition
The ozone layer is a region in Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. It plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it reaches the Earth's surface.
Analogy
Think of the ozone layer as a protective sunscreen for our planet. Just like how sunscreen shields our skin from harmful UV rays, the ozone layer acts as a shield for Earth, preventing excessive UV radiation from reaching us.
Related terms
Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere.
Ozone Depletion: Ozone depletion refers to the thinning or reduction of the ozone layer due to human-made substances like CFCs.
UV Radiation: UV radiation stands for ultraviolet radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun that can cause harm to living organisms.
"Ozone Layer" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (3)
- Which of the following best describes the "ozone layer"?
- Which of the following factors contributes to the thinning of the ozone layer over the polar regions?
- What is the expected outcome of the Montreal Protocol regarding the ozone layer?
Resources
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