Car Engines, Nitrogen Oxides, & Converters
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 10.3.6
Car Engines, Nitrogen Oxides, and Catalytic Converters
Car engines produce nitrogen oxides, whereas catalytic converters reduce them, improving air quality and reducing pollution.
Formation of nitrogen oxides in car engines
- Car engines burn fuel with air, producing heat.
- Air contains nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
- High engine temperatures cause nitrogen and oxygen to react.
- This reaction forms nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2).
- Nitrogen oxides pollute the air, causing smog and acid rain.
Why are nitrogen oxides harmful?
- Nitrogen oxides can irritate lungs and eyes.
- They contribute to the formation of acid rain.
- Acid rain damages plants, buildings, and water sources.
- Nitrogen oxides help create smog in cities.
- Reducing nitrogen oxides improves air quality and health.
Catalytic converters - Introduction
- Catalytic converters reduce nitrogen oxides in a car's exhaust.
- They convert harmful gases into less harmful gases.
- Car exhaust passes through the catalytic converter.
- It contains catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.
How catalytic converters remove nitrogen oxides
- Catalytic converters convert nitrogen oxides (NO) into nitrogen gas (N2).
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is also converted to carbon dioxide (CO2).
- The reaction: 2CO + 2NO → 2CO2 + N2.
- This reaction reduces toxic gases released into the atmosphere.
- Catalytic converters help meet air quality standards.
Test yourself on Car Engines, Nitrogen Oxides, & Converters
What causes nitrogen and oxygen from the air to react and form nitrogen oxides in car engines?