When chemicals are exposed to intense UV rays from the sun, which of the following is most likely to occur?

• A. Chemical bonds may break, leading to the formation of new substances.
• B. No change will occur because UV rays do not affect chemicals.
• C. The chemicals will always freeze due to energy loss.
• D. The chemicals will become inert and stop reacting.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation capable of interacting with chemical substances.
2. Recall that when chemicals absorb UV radiation, the energy can be sufficient to break chemical bonds, a process known as photodissociation or photolysis.
3. Recognize that breaking chemical bonds leads to the formation of reactive species or new substances, which can initiate further chemical reactions.
4. Eliminate incorrect options by considering that UV rays do affect chemicals (so no change is incorrect), chemicals do not freeze due to UV exposure (freezing is related to temperature, not radiation), and chemicals do not become inert simply by UV exposure (in fact, they often become more reactive).
5. Conclude that the most likely outcome when chemicals are exposed to intense UV rays is that chemical bonds may break, leading to the formation of new substances.