Which describes the important role of the ozone layer?
Responses:
It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
It prevents the air from getting thinner.
It increases the oxygen level.
It protects the surface from extreme weather.
The correct response is: It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The important role of the ozone layer is that it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The correct answer is: "It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation."
To understand this, we need to know what the ozone layer is. The ozone layer is a region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a higher concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms bonded together.
Now, let's understand why the ozone layer plays an important role in absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. It can be divided into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
UVB radiation is particularly harmful to living organisms as it can cause various negative health effects, including skin cancer, eye damage, and weakened immune systems. UVC radiation is even more dangerous, but it is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and does not reach the surface.
When UV radiation from the Sun encounters the ozone layer, the ozone molecules absorb most of the UVB radiation and a portion of the UVA radiation. This absorption process protects life on Earth by reducing the amount of harmful UV radiation that reaches the surface.
So, in summary, the important role of the ozone layer is to absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation, particularly UVB radiation, thereby protecting life on Earth from the harmful effects of excessive exposure to UV radiation.