Question 1

Is the following a valid hypothesis? Natural disasters around the world are a result of a supernatural deity punishing humanity for our actions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is the following a valid hypothesis? Natural...

Question 2

Why should we care about ozone?

Accepted Answer

Ozone in the stratosphere helps to protect the Earth's surface from harmful UV-B radiation, which can cause skin cancer and other health problems in humans, as well as damage to plants and marine life.

Answer: A
 Ozone at ground level can be a dangerous pollutant, contributing to smog and respiratory problems in humans and other animals.

Answer: C
 Ozone is used in the production of some chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which can deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Answer: E
 While ozone primarily protects against UV-B radiation, it also plays a role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing and emitting heat in the atmosphere. A loss of ozone in the stratosphere could potentially affect the Earth's climate.

Answer: D
 Ozone is not a major pollutant in rainwater - other contaminants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are more commonly found in acid rain.

Question 3

Is the following a valid hypothesis? Cancer patients who are prayed for will have better outcomes compared with patients with similar prognoses (likely outcomes) who are not prayed for.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is the following a valid hypothesis? Cancer...

Question 4

What's the difference between "good" and "bad" ozone?

Accepted Answer

Good ozone, also known as ozone layer, is found in the stratosphere and blocks harmful UV-B radiation from the sun. Bad ozone, also known as tropospheric ozone, is a pollutant that forms at ground level due to the reaction of pollutants with sunlight and heat. It can cause respiratory problems and other health issues for humans and animals.

Question 5

Ozone-depleting chemicals are most efficient at the poles, both for Arctic and Antarctic regions. The major reason for this is:

Accepted Answer

Ozone-depleting chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), break down ozone in the presence of sunlight. In the polar regions, very cold temperatures combine with high-altitude clouds to create a chemical reaction that releases chlorine and bromine atoms, which then break apart ozone molecules at a high rate. This phenomenon is known as the "ozone hole." Thus, the very cold winters at the poles allow for a more efficient breakdown of ozone-depleting chemicals and a faster destruction of the ozone layer.

Question 6

Scientists use the scientific method to investigate the natural world. The scientific method is based on gathering empirical evidence. What is empirical evidence, and why are empirical data a hallmark of good science?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists use the scientific method to investigate...

Question 7

What is the chemical formula for ozone?

Accepted Answer

The chemical formula for ozone is O₃.

Question 8

Explain how the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is allowing more UV-B radiation to reach the Earth's surface.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the depletion of the ozone...

Question 9

The ozone layer is located in the ___________.

Accepted Answer

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, about 10-50 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

Question 10

Why is the term "ozone hole" misleading?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is the term "ozone hole" misleading?...

Question 11

Describe the importance of peer-review to the scientific process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the importance of peer-review to the...

Question 12

Where in the atmosphere is ozone found?

Accepted Answer

Ozone is found in both the troposphere and the stratosphere. In the stratosphere, it forms the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the troposphere, it can be a pollutant and a component of smog.

Question 13

Which form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is important in the formation of ozone?

Accepted Answer

UV-C radiation is crucial for the formation of ozone as it provides the energy needed to split oxygen molecules (O2) into individual oxygen atoms, which then combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3).

Question 14

Infographic 2.5.

-Refer to Infographic 2.5. What happens to the chlorine atom liberated from chlorine monoxide in the second portion of this figure?

Accepted Answer

The chlorine atom liberated from chlorine monoxide is highly reactive and can break down many other ozone molecules, contributing to ozone layer depletion.

Question 15

Infographic 2.5.

-Refer to Infographic 2.5. Explain chemically how CFCs in the stratosphere are damaging the ozone layer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Infographic 2.5.

-Refer to Infographic 2.5. Explain chemically...

Question 16

Infographic 2.3.

-Refer to Infographic 2.3. What are the possible outcomes after analyzing the data in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

The answer of  Infographic 2.3.

-Refer to Infographic 2.3. What...

Question 17

Scientists have concluded that increasing levels of _________ were causing the depletion of the ozone layer.

Accepted Answer

The depletion of the ozone layer is primarily caused by the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere, which break down ozone molecules.

Question 18

Infographic 2.1.

-Refer to Infographic 2.1. Why is it that the least energetic form of ultraviolet light, UV-A, causes sunburns and skin damage but the most energetic form, UV-C, is of no concern whatsoever?

Accepted Answer

UV-A radiation passes through the atmosphere easily, UV-B is absorbed by the stratospheric ozone layer, and UV-C is absorbed by oxygen, O₂. Therefore, UV-C does not reach the Earth's surface and is of no concern, while UV-A reaches the surface and causes sunburns and skin damage.

Question 19

Which form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer? What are the effects of this form of UV radiation on living things?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is...

Question 20

Instruments are used to measure the level of ozone in the stratosphere. These measurements are ________.

Accepted Answer

Instruments directly measure the level of ozone in the stratosphere, making this an observation. Inferences, conclusions, explanations, and predictions are all based on observations and data, but are not the same as the act of measuring ozone levels.

Quiz 2: Science Literacy and the Process of Science- Science and the Sky: Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ozone