2.11g: demonstrate an understanding of how oxygen, O2, and ozone, O3, absorb UV radiation and explain the part played by emission of oxides of nitrogen, from aircraft, in the depletion of the ozone layer, including the free radical mechanism for the reaction and the fact that oxides act as catalysts

Formation of ozone and oxygen:

• O2 → 2O-, O- + O2 → O3
• O3 + O- → 2O2, O- + O- → O2
• all occur in the presence of UV light

How do nitrous oxides help to deplete the ozone layer?

• nitrous oxides come from jet and plane engines
• oxides catalyse the reaction
• NO + O3 → NO2 + O2, NO2 + O- → NO + O2
• free radical