Chemistry
Give reasons for the following.
A catalytic converter in an internal combustion engine reduces pollution.
Answer
The reduction catalyst [Pt/Pd] of the catalytic converter separates the nitrogen atom from NO and NO2 molecules freeing oxygen in the form of O2 molecule.
2NO ⟶ N2 + O2
2NO2 ⟶ N2 + 2O2
Thus, the oxides of nitrogen which are pollutants are converted to free nitrogen by the catalytic converter thereby reducing pollution.
Related Questions
Give balanced equations for the following conversions [one or two steps].
- Sulphur trioxide to sulphuric acid – a constituent of acid rain.
- Nitrogen to nitrogen dioxide – in an internal combustion engine.
- Methane to carbon dioxide – a green house gas.
- A molecule of ozone to two molecules of oxygen gas.
- Oxygen to ozone gas by photolysis.
Give reasons for the following.
Natural rain water does not have a pH of 7 [i.e. neutral]
Give reasons for the following.
In absence of green house gases the surface temperature of the earth is maintained.
Give reasons for the following.
The formation of ozone involves a chemical reaction called photolysis.