Q28 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (21 Apr Shift 1) · Chemistry
Which of the following gases causes depletion in ozone layer?
- AHe
- Correct answerBNO
- C$\mathrm{CO}_2$
- D$\mathrm{H}_2$
Solution
The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Depletion occurs primarily through catalytic reactions with certain chemical species.
Helium is inert and non-reactive with ozone. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming but does not deplete ozone. Hydrogen gas shows no known ozone-depleting properties.
Nitric oxide participates in a catalytic cycle:
$NO + O_3 \rightarrow NO_2 + O_2$
$NO_2 + O \rightarrow NO + O_2$
The net reaction is $O_3 + O \rightarrow 2O_2$, with nitric oxide acting as a catalyst to destroy ozone molecules.
Nitric oxide is therefore the ozone-depleting species.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.