WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Kinetics of CFC Catalyzed Ozone Destruction

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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).