Kinetics of CFC Catalyzed Ozone Destruction

cfc plot

CFC-12

show all

year

1950

time (s)

1


concentration of ozone	CFC concentration

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) catalyze the decomposition of ozone into molecular oxygen. This Demonstration shows the increase of CFC concentration in the atmosphere and how it affects the rate of decomposition of ozone. Data from four similar CFCs are used. The thinning of the ozone layer (shown in green) over time is shown. Four different CFCs are considered:

CCl

3

F

(CFC11),

CCl

2

F

2

(CFC12),

CCl

2

F-

CClF

2

(CFC113), and

CCl

4

(carbon tetrachloride).