Question:medium

Dobson units are used to measure thickness of:

Updated On: May 3, 2026
  • CFCs
  • Stratosphere
  • Ozone
  • Troposphere
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The question asks which atmospheric component's thickness is measured using Dobson units. The correct answer is Ozone.

  1. Understanding Dobson Units: A Dobson Unit (DU) is a unit of measurement for the total amount of ozone in a column of the atmosphere stretching from the Earth's surface to the top of the atmosphere. It is named after Gordon M. B. Dobson, one of the first scientists to investigate atmospheric ozone.
  2. Ozone and Its Measurement: Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms and is found primarily in the Earth's stratosphere. The concentration of ozone in this part of the atmosphere is crucial for absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer is usually measured in Dobson Units. For example, 300 DU indicates a typical thickness of the ozone layer.
  3. Ruling Out Other Options:
    • CFCs: These are chlorofluorocarbons, compounds that contribute to ozone depletion, not measured in Dobson units.
    • Stratosphere: This is the layer of the atmosphere where most of the ozone layer exists but is not measured in Dobson units.
    • Troposphere: This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather phenomena occur, not primarily concerned with ozone-specific measurement in Dobson units.
  4. Conclusion: The Dobson unit is the standard unit for measuring the thickness of the ozone layer. None of the other components listed (CFCs, Stratosphere, Troposphere) are measured using Dobson units. Therefore, the correct answer is Ozone.
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