The ultraviolet solar radiations are largely absorbed by

[amp_mcq option1=”carbon dioxide and nitrogen” option2=”oxygen and carbon dioxide” option3=”oxygen and ozone” option4=”nitrogen and ozone” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022

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Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation is primarily absorbed by ozone (O3) in the stratosphere, which forms the ozone layer. Oxygen (O2) also absorbs some high-energy UV radiation (UV-C), contributing to the formation of ozone.

– The ozone layer is crucial for life on Earth as it absorbs most of the harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation from the sun.
– Absorption of UV-C by oxygen molecules initiates the process of ozone formation (O2 + UV-C -> 2O; O + O2 -> O3).

Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are relatively transparent to ultraviolet radiation. Greenhouse gases like CO2 and water vapour are primarily involved in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface, not incoming UV radiation.

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