Question

The ozone "hole" over Antarctica formed as the result of a series of chemical reactions. The loss occurs in part through three consecutive steps in which ozone is broken down: Step 1: Chlorine atoms react with ozone (O3) to form chlorine monoxide and molecular oxygen. Step 2: Chlorine monoxide molecules combine to form ClOOCl gas Step 3: ClOOCl absorbs sunlight and breaks into chlorine atoms and molecular oxygen. a) Write a balanced equation for each step. b) Write an overall balanced equation for the sequence

Answer 1

Answer:

A)

Cl + O3 --> ClO + O2

2ClO --> ClOOCl

ClOOCl --> 2 Cl + O2

B)

Cl2 + 4O3 -> 2 ClO + 5O2

Explanation:

Step 1: Chlorine atoms react with ozone (O3) to form chlorine monoxide and molecular oxygen

Cl + O3 --> ClO + O2

Step 2: Chlorine monoxide molecules combine to form ClOOCl gas

2ClO --> ClOOCl

Step 3: ClOOCl absorbs sunlight and breaks into chlorine atoms and molecular oxygen

ClOOCl --> 2 Cl + O2

B) Overall Balanced equation

Cl2 + 4O3 -> 2 ClO + 5O2