What would happen if we had no atmosphere?

1 Answer
David Drayer
Jan 10, 2018

The energy of ultraviolet and shorter wave lengths of light is absorbed by interaction with the molecules in the atmosphere.

Explanation:

If there were no molecules in the atmosphere the high energy waves from the sun would strike the surface of the earth. The result would be that perhaps no living thing could survive.

Ozone and other molecules absorb the energy from the sun and undergo chemical reactions due to the energy absorbed. When Ozone #O_3# breaks down into # O_2# and a free radical # O^-2# it absorbs energy. Without the Ozone layer and other atmospheric gases, the ultraviolet and other solar radiation would cause increased damage to the skin and DNA of people exposed to the radiation.

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