The ozone layer is an important component of Earth’s atmosphere because it helps to block UV radiation from reaching Earth. The ozone layer absorbs most of the harmful UV radiation from the Sun and stores it as heat within the stratosphere. If the ozone layer were completely removed, what effect would that change have on temperature?

Question

The ozone layer is an important component of Earth’s atmosphere because it helps to block UV radiation from reaching Earth. The ozone layer absorbs most of the harmful UV radiation from the Sun and stores it as heat within the stratosphere. If the ozone layer were completely removed, what effect would that change have on temperature?

The temperature would remain unchanged.
The temperature of Earth would increase.
The temperature of the upper atmospheric layers would decrease.
The temperature of Earth would decrease.
The temperature of the stratosphere would decrease.

Answer 1

If the ozone layer were completely removed, the temperature of Earth would increase. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in absorbing and storing UV radiation as heat within the stratosphere. Without the ozone layer, more UV radiation would reach the Earth's surface, leading to an increase in temperature. Additionally, the absence of ozone would also impact atmospheric circulation patterns, potentially leading to further changes in temperature distribution.