Answer to Question #175793 in Chemistry for Jeremy

Question

Lesson 17 Nitrogen, a common pollutant from the combustion of auto fuels, produces several oxides. Assume that nitrogen dioxide is the most common oxide formed.

Common reactions of nitrogen in the atmosphere:

N_2(g) + O_2(g) ————-> 2NO_(g)

2NO_(g) + O_2(g) ————-> NO_2(g)

3NO_2(g) + H₂O ——-> 2HNO_3(aq) + NO_(g)

Prepare a written response to the following questions:

1. How does nitrogen dioxide contribute to the creation of acid precipitation if it undergoes similar transformation steps as sulphur dioxide?
2. Choose one of the above reactions, and demonstrate that a redox reaction is also occurring in the process of creating acid rain. Do this by writing the balanced half-reactions.

Answer 1

Nitrogen dioxide (as it combines with water in the atmosphere, 3NO_2(g) + H₂O ——-> 2HNO_3(aq) + NO_(g)) contributes to the creation of acid precipitation. This interaction is a redox reaction:

+4 +5 +2

3NO_2(g) + H₂O ——-> 2HNO_3(aq) + NO_(g)

+4 +2

N + 2 e^- → N (reduction)

+4 +5

2 N - 2 e^- → 2 N (oxidation)