Our planet is protected by a barrier. Our naked eyes can't see this barrier. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This layer is composed of ozone molecules. The sun, which gives us warmth, releases ultraviolet rays, which are absorbed by this invisible layer. Over the years, we humans have seen advancements in various fields. We have created many things that have made our everyday lives much simpler. However, our own creations have led to the destruction of our planet. We have harmed the one thing that protects us from harm. The power to deplete the ozone layer rests in our hands. We can choose to mend it or break it.

I strongly believe that the choice to protect our planet rests in our hands. This is what I wanted to illustrate in my art project. The ozone layer involves many of the Nine Big Ideas in Chemistry. One of the goals of my art work was to demonstrate how the ozone layer's depletion connects with these ideas. I chose to work with paints, since I personally enjoy doing so. Through this technique, I felt a connection with what I was trying to portray. My image illustrates the Earth, which has a layer contouring its shape. The layer is clearly composed of ozone molecules. The molecule contains three oxygen atoms, connected in a way so that they are bent. The bent shape links to the molecular shape of the ozone molecule. This links to idea #4; molecular shape. By painting the ozone layer in its molecular shape, I put a lot of emphasis on its shape and how matter is made of atoms (idea #1). This reminds one of how everything around us is composed of atoms. Towards the Earth, there is a hand, shaped like a gun, pointing towards the planet. This symbolizes how through our hands we have caused the depletion of this layer. The hand also symbolizes that it is in our power, whether to "pull the trigger". We can ultimately choose to fix our mistakes. The hand is releasing CFCs, which stands for chlorofluorocarbons. They have the most harmful impact on the ozone layer, which was the main reason I decided to focus on them specifically. The hand releasing them symbolizes that we have created them. These compounds cannot be found in nature, they have been created by humans. The chlorofluorocarbons have a tetrahedral shape, which I illustrated in my work. They are composed of three chlorine molecules and one fluorine molecule, all attached to a central carbon. By illustrating them in their molecular shape I again connected with the 4th big idea (molecular shape). The molecules are all composed of elements from the periodic table. To connect to the 2nd idea; Elements display a periodicity, I created a legend that looks like the side of the periodic table of elements where the oxygen, chlorine, fluorine and carbon are located. The colors I used to paint these molecule were chosen because they stood out against the pitch black background. This allows the observer to focus on these molecules. By drawing one's attention to them, the observer can focus on the details of the structure and it allows them to understand what they represent. On the corner of the painting, I illustrated a dazzling sun. I used red, orange and yellow to again give it a bold position against the backdrop. The sun's significance demonstrates the reason for the layer's depletion. The sun releases rays, which are absorbed by both the chlorofluorocarbons and the ozone molecules. The chlorofluorocarbon releases a chlorine atom, while the ozone molecule releases an oxygen. The released oxygen and chlorine atom react together, which results in the destruction of the ozone layer. Since bonds are broken, there is energy involved. This connects to the 6th idea: Energy must always be conserved. I painted the light rays, released from the sun, as waves. This connects to how light can act as either a wave or particle. When the ozone and the chlorofluorocarbons absorb light the result is a free radical. A free radical is an uncharged molecule with an unpaired electron. This connects to the idea #9: Types of Reactions. The free radicals that result from the absorption of light is a type of reaction that occurs.

The depletion of the ozone layer connects to Atkin's nine big ideas in Chemistry. This art project was a method to demonstrate the ideas. The ozone is extremely crucial for the protection of this planet. In our hands, we have so much knowledge, more than what our ancestors had. I believe that we must use that knowledge so that it doesn't have a negative impact on our planet.