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Chapter 18: Problem 20

Why is the photodissociation of \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) in the atmosphere relatively unimportant compared with the photodissociation of \(\mathrm{O}_{2} ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The photodissociation of N₂ is relatively unimportant compared to O₂ in the atmosphere because of the stronger triple bond in N₂, which requires more energy to break and is less likely to occur due to the scarcity of photons with sufficient energy. Furthermore, photodissociation of O₂ plays a crucial role in the formation of the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful UV radiation, whereas N₂ photodissociation does not significantly contribute to any essential atmospheric processes.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the photodissociation process

Photodissociation is a process in which a molecule absorbs a photon and subsequently breaks up into smaller fragments due to the change of energy state. In the atmosphere, this process has an impact on the composition of atmospheric gases and is an essential event mainly for the oxygen-ozone chemistry in the ozone layer.
02

Examine molecular bonding differences in N₂ and O₂

The main difference between N₂ and O₂ molecules is the type of bond present between the atoms. N₂ consists of a triple bond, which is known to be much stronger than the double bond present in O₂ molecules. As a result, it requires significantly more energy to break the N=N bond in nitrogen than the O=O bond in oxygen.
03

Consider the energy of photons in the atmosphere

In the atmosphere, the amount of energy of the photons varies depending on the wavelength of the incoming sunlight. Photons with energies that correspond to the strong triple bond of nitrogen (N₂) are relatively scarce, making the photodissociation of N₂ unlikely to occur. On the other hand, the weaker double bond in O₂ molecules can be dissociated more easily by photons with energies more commonly present in the atmosphere.
04

Assess the atmospheric roles of oxygen and nitrogen

The photodissociation of O₂ molecules is crucial for the production of ozone (O₃) in the stratosphere as it is the main source of atomic oxygen (O) that reacts with other O₂ molecules to form ozone. This ozone layer is critical for protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In contrast, the photodissociation of N₂ does not have a significant impact on atmospheric chemistry and is not necessary for any essential atmospheric function or process.
05

Conclusion

In summary, the photodissociation of N₂ in the atmosphere is relatively unimportant compared to the photodissociation of O₂ mainly because of two reasons: (1) the stronger triple bond in N₂ molecules requires much more energy to break, and photons with such energies are scarce in the atmosphere; and (2) the photodissociation of O₂ has a vital role in the production of the ozone layer which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation, while the photodissociation of N₂ does not contribute significantly to any essential atmospheric processes.

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