The hydroxyl radical (OH) plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry. It is highly r...

The hydroxyl radical (OH) plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry. It is highly reactive and has a tendency to combine with an H atom from other compounds, causing them to break up. Thus, OH is sometimes called a "detergent" radical because it helps to clean up the atmosphere.

(a) Estimate the enthalpy change for the following reaction:

(b) The radical is generated when sunlight hits water vapor. Calculate the maximum wavelength (in nm) required to break an O–H bond in H2O.