Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification

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Get ready for the EPA MVAC Certification exam with our study materials covering flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your certification!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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How many ozone molecules can each chlorine ion destroy?

10,000
50,000
100,000
500,000

The correct answer is: 100,000

Each chlorine ion has the potential to destroy approximately 100,000 ozone molecules. This high number reflects the efficiency and persistence of chlorine in the stratosphere, where it engages in a catalytic cycle that contributes to ozone depletion. When a chlorine ion reacts with an ozone molecule (O3), it can break it down into oxygen molecules (O2) while releasing another chlorine ion, which can then go on to react with additional ozone molecules. This process allows a single chlorine ion to contribute repeatedly to the destruction of ozone, increasing the overall impact significantly. The mechanism of ozone depletion emphasizes the importance of reducing chlorine-based compounds in the atmosphere, as even a small concentration can lead to extensive damage to the ozone layer, which is vital for protecting Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The other options represent significantly higher or lower quantities than what is scientifically accepted based on atmospheric studies and research on ozone depletion.