Chemistry
Starting from nitrogen in air, enlist the reactions with the help of balanced equations, which result in the conversion of nitrogen in an internal combustion engine, to the acids formed which are responsible for acid rain.
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Answer
- Nitrogen combines with oxygen at high temperatures to give nitric oxide
N2 + O2 → 2NO - Nitric oxide [NO] is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide [NO2]
2NO + O2 ⟶ 2NO2 - Nitrogen dioxide [NO2] reacts with water vapour to form nitrous acid [HNO2] and nitric acid [HNO3]
H2O + 2NO2 ⟶ HNO2 + HNO3
[The nitrogen dioxide may also dissolve in atmospheric moisture in the presence of oxygen of the air forming nitric acid in the free state].
[2H2O + 4NO2 + O2 ⟶ 4HNO3]
Thus the acidity in the rain is due to reaction of oxides of nitrogen with water vapour forming dilute acids.
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