---
title: "In the upper atmosphere, chlorine atoms catalyze the destruction of stratospheric ozone through the two-step mechanism shown below.  \\[\\text{Step 1: } \\text{Cl(g)} + \\text{O}_3\\text{(g)} \\rightarrow \\text{ClO(g)} + \\text{O}_2\\text{(g)}\\] \\[\\text{Step 2: } \\text{ClO(g)} + \\text{O(g)} \\rightarrow \\text{Cl(g)} + \\text{O}_2\\text{(g)}\\]  Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction?"
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date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:31:14+00:00"
---

# In the upper atmosphere, chlorine atoms catalyze the destruction of stratospheric ozone through the two-step mechanism shown below.

\[\text{Step 1: } \text{Cl(g)} + \text{O}_3\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{ClO(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\]
\[\text{Step 2: } \text{ClO(g)} + \text{O(g)} \rightarrow \text{Cl(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\]

Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction?

In the upper atmosphere, chlorine atoms catalyze the destruction of stratospheric ozone through the two-step mechanism shown below.

\[\text{Step 1: } \text{Cl(g)} + \text{O}_3\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{ClO(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\]
\[\text{Step 2: } \text{ClO(g)} + \text{O(g)} \rightarrow \text{Cl(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\]

Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction?

- **A.** \(\text{Cl(g)} + \text{O}_3\text{(g)} + \text{O(g)} \rightarrow \text{Cl(g)} + 2\text{ O}_2\text{(g)}\)
- **B.** \(2\text{ O}_3\text{(g)} \rightarrow 3\text{ O}_2\text{(g)}\)
- **C.** \(\text{O}_3\text{(g)} + \text{O(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{ O}_2\text{(g)}\)
- **D.** \(\text{ClO(g)} + \text{O}_3\text{(g)} + \text{O(g)} \rightarrow \text{ClO(g)} + 2\text{ O}_2\text{(g)}\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119965/*