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 ozone layer primarily absorbs UV-rays (Ultraviolet rays) from the Sun. This absorption is crucial because UV-rays can be harmful to living organisms, causing skin cancer, eye damage, and other health issues. The ozone layer effectively filters out most of the UV-rays, preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface in large amounts. X-rays, α-rays, and γ-rays are also types of radiation, but they are either not absorbed by the ozone layer in the same way or do not come from the Sun in the same significant quantities.
Step 1: Analyze the options.
(A) UV-rays: This is the correct answer. The ozone layer absorbs UV-rays, particularly the harmful UV-B rays, preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface.
(B) X-rays: X-rays are not absorbed by the ozone layer but are typically blocked by the Earth's atmosphere, particularly at higher altitudes.
(C) α-rays: Alpha rays are a type of particle radiation, which do not come from the Sun and are not absorbed by the ozone layer.
(D) γ-rays: Gamma rays are highly energetic, but they are not significantly blocked by the ozone layer, as they are absorbed primarily by the Earth's atmosphere.
Step 2: Conclusion.
UV-rays are the primary radiation absorbed by the ozone layer before they can reach the Earth's surface, making (A) the correct answer.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{(A) \, \text{UV-rays}} \]