Question

Which type of radiation from sunlight is absorbed by ozone before it reaches the earth's surface?

• A. UV-rays
• B. X-rays
• C. α-rays
• D. γ-rays

Hint:

The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing the majority of harmful UV-rays from the Sun, which can cause serious health issues.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question asks which type of radiation from sunlight is absorbed by the ozone layer before reaching the Earth's surface. Let's analyze this:

1. Understanding the Ozone Layer:
   • The ozone layer is located in the Earth's stratosphere, and it plays a crucial role in absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
   • The primary function of the ozone layer is to absorb the majority of the sun's Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specifically UV-B and UV-C rays, preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface where they can cause harm to living organisms.
2. Analyzing the Options:
   • UV-rays: Ultraviolet rays are known to be absorbed by the ozone layer. This is the primary function of the ozone layer to protect the Earth from excessive UV radiation.
   • X-rays: These are mostly absorbed by the upper atmosphere and rarely reach the Earth's surface; however, they are not the primary concern of the ozone layer.
   • α-rays (Alpha rays): These are heavy charged particles that do not pertain to solar radiation absorbed by the ozone layer.
   • γ-rays (Gamma rays): Like X-rays, gamma rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere at higher altitudes and are not significantly absorbed by the ozone layer.
3. Conclusion:
   • The correct answer is UV-rays. The primary role of the ozone layer is to absorb UV rays and protect life on Earth from their potentially harmful effects.