Question

Chlorofluorocarbon releases ______ which is harmful to ozone.

• A. Fluorine
• B. Chlorine
• C. Nitrogen peroxide
• D. Sulphur dioxide

Answer 1

The correct option is B Chlorine

Chlorofluorocarbons are the halogenated paraffin hydrocarbons containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon. These have been extensively used as the refrigerants and the spray propellants due to their non-toxic nature. But, the CFCs have found their way to the stratosphere of the atmosphere where the incidence of the UV rays is very high. The CFC splits up when exposed to the UV rays and release the reactive chlorine species. This is harmful to the ozone in the stratosphere because the chlorine reacts with ozone to release the simple oxygen, that is further converted to the reactive nascent oxygen.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Chlorine'.