What characteristic(s) of CFCs and HCFCs make them more likely to reach the stratosphere than most other compounds containing chlorine? (A) A) They are attracted to ultraviolet radiation. (B) B) They are lighter than other chlorine compounds, making it easier for them to reach the stratosphere when released. (C) C) They do not dissolve in water or easily break down in the atmosphere. (D) D) They are stored under pressure, causing them to jet upward when released.

CFCs and HCFCs are particularly stable compounds that do not easily break down in the lower atmosphere. Their resilience means they can drift up into the stratosphere where harmful ultraviolet radiation can cause them to release chlorine atoms, leading to ozone depletion. This stability is mainly due to their chemical structure, which protects them from reacting with other atmospheric constituents. Additionally, CFCs and HCFCs are largely inert and hydrophobic, making them resistant to dissolution in water. This property, combined with their relatively low reactivity, allows these compounds to persist in the atmosphere for long periods, giving them ample opportunity to ascend into the stratosphere, where they wreak havoc on the ozone layer.