True or False: CFCs have a higher ozone depletion potential (ODP) than HCFCs.

True or False: CFCs have a higher ozone depletion potential (ODP) than HCFCs.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in closed systems
• D. Only in open systems

Answer: (A)

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) indeed have a higher ozone depletion potential (ODP) compared to HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). The ozone depletion potential is a measure of a substance's ability to deplete the ozone layer; it indicates how effective a chemical is at causing ozone depletion relative to a reference substance, typically R-11 (trichlorofluoromethane), which has an ODP of 1. CFCs are fully halogenated compounds and have more chlorine and bromine atoms compared to HCFCs, which are partially halogenated and contain hydrogen. The absence of hydrogen in CFCs allows them to be more stable and persist longer in the atmosphere, leading to more significant ozone depletion when they eventually reach the stratosphere and release chlorine atoms that catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules. In contrast, HCFCs have a lower ODP due to their inclusion of hydrogen, which makes them less stable and more likely to break down in the lower atmosphere before they can cause significant damage to the ozone layer. This lower stability results in a reduced capacity to reach the stratosphere, where ozone depletion occurs. Thus, the statement that

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) indeed have a higher ozone depletion potential (ODP) compared to HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). The ozone depletion potential is a measure of a substance's ability to deplete the ozone layer; it indicates how effective a chemical is at causing ozone depletion relative to a reference substance, typically R-11 (trichlorofluoromethane), which has an ODP of 1.

CFCs are fully halogenated compounds and have more chlorine and bromine atoms compared to HCFCs, which are partially halogenated and contain hydrogen. The absence of hydrogen in CFCs allows them to be more stable and persist longer in the atmosphere, leading to more significant ozone depletion when they eventually reach the stratosphere and release chlorine atoms that catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules.

In contrast, HCFCs have a lower ODP due to their inclusion of hydrogen, which makes them less stable and more likely to break down in the lower atmosphere before they can cause significant damage to the ozone layer. This lower stability results in a reduced capacity to reach the stratosphere, where ozone depletion occurs.

Thus, the statement that