Which describes the important role of the ozone layer? It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation, it prevents the air from getting thinner, it increases the the oxygen level, it protects the surface from extreme weather
It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The important role of the ozone layer is that it absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. UV radiation is a type of energy that can have damaging effects on living organisms, including humans.
To understand why the ozone layer plays this role, we need to understand its composition. The ozone layer is a region in the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. Ozone is formed when oxygen (O2) molecules in the atmosphere are broken apart by sunlight, and the individual oxygen atoms (O) then combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.
Now, when UV radiation from the Sun reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is absorbed by the ozone layer. The ozone molecules in the layer absorb UV-C and most UV-B radiation. This absorption process prevents a significant portion of these harmful rays from reaching the Earth's surface.
Why is this important? UV radiation can have damaging effects on living organisms. It can cause skin damage, including sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging of the skin. It can also harm plants and marine life. By absorbing most of the harmful UV radiation, the ozone layer acts as a shield, protecting life on Earth from its detrimental effects.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is: "It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation."