1. The following reactions take place in the ozone layer by the absorption of ultraviolet light.

I O3 → O2 + O•
II O2 → O• + O•
State and explain, by reference to the bonding, which of the reactions, I or II, requires a shorter
wavelength.
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(Total 2 marks)
2. In the stratosphere, ozone helps to protect the Earth from harmful frequencies of light.
The structure of ozone is shown below.

Describe, using equations, the formation of ozone in the stratosphere by natural processes.
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(Total 2 marks)
3. Stratospheric ozone is in dynamic equilibrium with oxygen. Give the equations that describe the
formation of ozone from oxygen and its depletion in the stratosphere in the presence of
ultraviolet light.
Formation:
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Depletion:
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(Total 2 marks)
4. The ozone layer protects living organisms from dangerous UV radiation. In the Earth’s
stratosphere, ozone is photochemically formed from oxygen by the following two-step process.
O2 ⎯ ⎯ ⎯⎯ ⎯ 2O•
UV light

O2 + O• ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ O3

(a) Ozone decomposition can proceed photochemically. Describe, using chemical equations,
the two-step mechanism of photochemical decomposition of ozone in the Earth’s
stratosphere.
Step 1:
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Step 2:
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(2)
(b) Ozone decomposition can also be catalysed by ozone-depleting substances such as
chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs. State two alternatives to CFCs.
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(1)
5. Explain why UV radiation with λ = 300 – 330 nm contributes to photochemical decomposition
of ozone but not to the formation of ozone from oxygen.
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(Total 3 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
6. CFCs and NOx are pollutants responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. Discuss the role
of NOx in this process and include equations for a stepwise mechanism.
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(Total 3 marks)
7. (i) State the equations for the depletion of ozone by the CFC, dichlorodifluoromethane,
CCl2F2.
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(3)
(ii) Use your answer to part (i) to explain why CFCs are so effective at ozone depletion.
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(2)
8. The ozone in the stratosphere protects us from harmful UV radiation. Above Australia there is
an area of decreased ozone concentration that has led to an increase in the incidence of some
skin cancers.
(a) Write equations for the natural formation of ozone.
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(2)
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrocarbons in place of CFCs.
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(2)
9. The ozone in the stratosphere protects us from harmful UV radiation. Above Australia there is
an area of decreased ozone concentration that has led to an increase in the incidence of some
skin cancers.
(a) Explain how the dissociation of O2 and O3 is dependent on the wavelength of light.
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(2)
(b) Use equations to describe the mechanism of ozone depletion catalysed by the CCl 2F2
molecule.
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(3)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2
 (c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrocarbons in place of CFCs.
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(2)
10. Chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, deplete the ozone layer.
(a) State the equations that represent the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere which is
catalysed by chlorine free radicals.
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(2)
(b) Chlorine atoms and nitrogen oxides react at the surface of ice particles in the arctic
winter.
(i) Deduce the type of catalysis that occurs.
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(1)
(ii) Outline why the depletion of ozone is greatest during the arctic spring.
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(2)
1. reaction II (requires a shorter wavelength);
O2 has double bond/bond order 2 and O3 intermediate between double
1
and single bonds/bond order of 1 ; 2
2
Do not accept stronger/weaker bonding without justification for the
second marking point.
2. (a) O2 (+ UV/hf/hv) → 2O•;
O2 + O• → O3; 2
Accept O instead of O•
3. Formation
O2 → 2O• and O2 + O• → O3;
Depletion
O3 → O2 + O• and O3 + O• → 2O2; 2
4. (a) Step 1:
O3 + hv → O2 + O•;
Step 2:
O• + O3 → 2O2;
Dots and radicals are not required for the mark.
Accept more detailed mechanisms (O• + O2 + M → O3 + M*, etc.). 2
(b) hydrocarbons
(per)fluorocarbons
hydrofluorocarbons / HFCs
hydrochlorofluorocarbons / HCFCs
ammonia/NH3 / sulfur dioxide/SO2
nitrogen/N2 / argon/Ar
Any two correct answers scores [1]. 1 max
5. bond in O2 is stronger than the bonds in O3 / bond in O3 is weaker
than the bond in O2;
in O2 bond is double/bond order is 2 and bonds in O3 are intermediate

IB Questionbank Chemistry 3
 between single and double/have an order of 1.5;
energy of light/photon depends on wavelength / OWTTE;
energy of light/photon with λ = 300–330 nm is insufficient to break
bonds in O2 but enough to break bonds in O3 / OWTTE; 3 max
6. NO/NOx/NO2 act as catalysts;
NO + O3 → NO2 + O2;
NO2 + O → NO + O2; 3
7. (i) CCl2F2 → CClF2• + Cl•;
Cl• + O3 → ClO• + O2;
ClO• → Cl• + O•;
ClO• + O• → O2 + Cl• / ClO• + O3 → 2O2 + Cl•;
Ignore state symbols.
Allow radical representation without dot throughout.
Do not allow inconsistent use of dot symbol. 3 max
(ii) Cl• /Cl regenerated / OWTTE;
can deplete further ozone molecules / catalytic / OWTTE; 2
8. (a) O2 ⎯ ⎯ ⎯⎯ ⎯ 2O•;
UV light

O• + O2 ⎯⎯ ⎯ O3;
Do not penalize the omission of the radical symbol • 2
(b) advantages: no weak C–Cl bond / not ozone depleting / do not release
Cl atoms;
disadvantages: flammability / ability to absorb infrared radiation /
increased greenhouse effect / contribute to global warming; 2
9. (a) λ = 242 nm / wavelength lower/frequency higher for
O2 → 2O• /oxygen dissociation;
λ = 330 nm / wavelength higher/frequency lower for
O3 → O2 + O•/ozone dissociation;
the bonding in O2 is stronger than in O3; 2 max
(b) CCl2F2 → CClF2 + Cl•;
Cl• + O3 → ClO• + O2;
ClO• + O• → O2 + Cl•;
Accept other suitable equations including CFC or Cl radicals.
• not necessary for mark but if + or – used instead penalize once only. 3
(c) advantages: no weak C–Cl bond / not ozone depleting / do not release
Cl atoms;
disadvantages: flammability / ability to absorb infrared radiation / increased
greenhouse effect / contribute to global warming; 2
10. (a) Cl• + O3 → ClO• + O2;
ClO• + O• → Cl• + O2;
Radical symbols not required for mark. 2
(b) (i) heterogeneous (catalysis); 1
(ii) ice particles melt releasing the pollutants;
light breaks the bonds producing radicals / Cl; 2

IB Questionbank Chemistry 4