Question

Give the main source of oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere.

Answer 1

The main source of oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere:

• On burning of fuels in furnaces, temperature increases. At high temperature, nitrogen and oxygen present in air combine to form oxides of nitrogen.
• When fuel burns in an internal combustion engine, oxides of nitrogen are produced, and they enter the atmosphere as exhaust gases from automobile engines.
• Nitric acid is formed by the reaction between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen in the presence of electric discharge, which occurs during thunderstorms when there is lightning.
• Nitric oxide further reacts with atmospheric oxygen and ozone to form nitrogen dioxide.