How can aerosol sprays and refrigerator coolants containing CFC contribute to global warming? A. The liquids that are released cause more specific heat to be trapped in the atmosphere. B. The gases that are released directly heat up Earth's surface. C. The liquids that are released cause Earth's atmosphere and surface to heat up. D. The gases that are released cause more specific heat to be trapped in the atmosphere.

Chlorofluorocarbons, commonly known as CFCs, are chemical compounds that were once widely used in products like aerosol sprays and refrigerator coolants. These compounds are made up of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. One of the significant properties of CFCs is their stability; they do not easily break down in the lower atmosphere. This stability means that they can persist in the environment for a very long time before they eventually rise to higher atmospheric layers. Upon reaching the stratosphere, CFCs are broken down by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, releasing chlorine atoms, which can cause various environmental problems.

Understanding CFCs involves recognizing their chemical composition and role in different environmental processes. Due to their long atmospheric lifespan, we need to think about both their immediate and long-term effects.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. When the Sun's energy reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected back to space, and the rest is absorbed, warming the planet. The Earth's surface then emits heat in the form of infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere. This trapped heat helps keep our planet warm enough to support life.

CFCs are also greenhouse gases. They are very effective at trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, even more so than carbon dioxide. When CFCs are released, they contribute to the greenhouse effect by preventing some of the Earth's heat from escaping into space, which leads to global warming. It's important to understand that while the greenhouse effect is natural, human activities have intensified it, leading to climate change.

The ozone layer is a region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. This layer is crucial because it absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting living organisms on Earth from its damaging effects. However, when CFCs reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by UV radiation, releasing chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules, breaking them apart and depleting the ozone layer.

The depletion of the ozone layer means that more harmful UV radiation can reach the Earth's surface. Increased UV exposure can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues in humans, as well as damaging the environment.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy emitted by the Sun. It falls into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. While UVC is mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not reach the surface, UVA and UVB can penetrate the atmosphere. UVB is particularly harmful because it can cause skin cancer and cataracts, as well as damage DNA in living organisms.

The ozone layer acts as a shield that absorbs and scatters the majority of UV radiation, specifically the more harmful UVB rays. When the ozone layer is depleted due to chemical reactions with CFCs and other pollutants, more UVB radiation reaches the Earth's surface. This increase in UV exposure has various negative effects on health, wildlife, and even materials like plastics.