Question

What happens when higher energy ultraviolet radiations act on the oxygen at the higher level of the atmosphere?(All India - 2012)

Answer 1

Answer:

it splits the oxygen gas into free oxygen atome

Answer 2

The fate of oxygen molecule at given conditions is given below -

Wavelength of more than 240 nm can break dioxygen bond.

Ultraviolet radiations range from 10 nm to 400 nm. Thus, ultraviolet radiations split oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms.

These bind again to form ozone molecules, which have chemical formula O3.

The molecule contains three atoms of oxygen. Thus, formation of ozone layer is seen at higher level of atmosphere.