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Multiple Choice
The ozone layer protects the Earth's surface from which type of radiation?
A
Infrared (IR) radiation
B
Microwave radiation
C
Gamma radiation
D
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of the ozone layer: The ozone layer is a region in Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O₃) molecules. Its primary function is to absorb and block harmful radiation from the sun.
Identify the types of radiation emitted by the sun: The sun emits various types of electromagnetic radiation, including infrared (IR), microwave, gamma, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Determine which type of radiation is harmful to living organisms: UV radiation is particularly harmful because it can damage DNA, cause skin cancer, and harm ecosystems. The ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation, preventing it from reaching Earth's surface.
Clarify why other types of radiation are not relevant here: Infrared radiation is associated with heat and is not blocked by the ozone layer. Microwave radiation is used in communication and cooking, and gamma radiation is extremely high-energy but not significantly emitted by the sun in this context.
Conclude that the ozone layer specifically protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is the correct answer to the problem.