EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth’s surface (see the figure below). Ozone is a molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. At any given time, ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the stratosphere.

Detailed explanation-2: -Most ozone (about 90%) is found in the stratosphere, which begins about 10–16 kilometers (6–10 miles) above Earth’s surface and extends up to about 50 kilo-meters (31 miles) altitude. The stratospheric region with the highest ozone concentration is commonly known as the “ozone layer” (see Figure Q1-2).

Detailed explanation-3: -At this height the relation production/destruction is maximum. Photochemical and transport processes in the earth’s stratosphere are studied. The effects of trace constituents such as water vapor and nitrogen oxides on stratospheric ozone distribution are emphasized.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chemically, this can be described as: About 90 percent of the ozone in the atmosphere is contained in the stratosphere. Ozone concentrations are greatest between about 20 and 40 kilometres (66, 000 and 131, 000 ft), where they range from about 2 to 8 parts per million.

Detailed explanation-5: -The stratospheric region with the highest concentration of ozone, between about 15 and 35 km altitude, is commonly known as the “ozone layer” (see Figure Q1-2).