Write down all the given chemical reactions.
Add all the reactions together, combining like terms.
Cancel out any chemical species that appear on both sides of the equation.
Simplify the equation to obtain the overall chemical equation: N 2 ( g ) + 2 O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 N O 2 ( g ) .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a series of chemical reactions that produce smog, and we need to find the overall balanced chemical equation. This involves adding up the reactions and canceling out any species that appear on both sides of the equation.
Listing the Reactions The given reactions are:
N 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 NO ( g )
2 NO ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 N O 2 ( g )
N O 2 ( g ) ⟶ NO ( g ) + O ( g )
O 2 ( g ) + O ( g ) ⟶ O 3 ( g )
NO ( g ) + O 3 ( g ) ⟶ N O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g )
Adding the Reactions Now, let's add all the reactions together:
N 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) + 2 NO ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) + N O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) + O ( g ) + NO ( g ) + O 3 ( g ) ⟶ 2 NO ( g ) + 2 N O 2 ( g ) + NO ( g ) + O ( g ) + O 3 ( g ) + N O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g )
Canceling Out Species Next, we cancel out the species that appear on both sides of the equation:
2 NO ( g ) on both sides
N O 2 ( g ) on both sides
O ( g ) on both sides
O 3 ( g ) on both sides
NO ( g ) on both sides
This leaves us with:
N 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 N O 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g )
Simplifying the Equation Simplifying the equation, we get:
N 2 ( g ) + 2 O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 N O 2 ( g )
Final Answer Therefore, the overall chemical equation for the formation of smog is:
N 2 ( g ) + 2 O 2 ( g ) ⟶ 2 N O 2 ( g )
Examples
The formation of smog, as described by the chemical equation, is a real-world environmental issue. Understanding the chemical reactions involved helps us develop strategies to reduce air pollution. For example, by reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides from vehicles and industrial processes, we can minimize the formation of smog and improve air quality. This knowledge is crucial for creating effective environmental policies and technologies.