Catalytic converters

The symbol equation for a catalytic converter is

2CO + 2NO = N(small)2 + 2CO(small)2

When this nitrogen monoxide is released from vehicle exhaust systems, it combines with oxygen in the air to form

nitrogen dioxide.

When fuels are burned in vehicle engines, high temperatures are reached. At these high temperatures nitrogen and oxygen from the air combine to produce

nitrogen monoxide

The word equation for nitrogen dioxide is

nitrogen monoxide + oxygen → nitrogen dioxide

a catalyst converter is usually a mixture of

platinum and rhodium with a high surface area

The catalysts are designed to work best at the

high temperatures found in the engine

catalytic converters are on

motor vehicles

The word equation for nitrogen monoxide is

nitrogen + oxygen → nitrogen monoxide

Nitrogen dioxide causes

acid rain, it also causes breathing problems and can worsen the effects of asthma.

The product from this is

carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which is less harmful to the environment

The word equation for a catalytic converter is

carbon monoxide + nitrogen oxide = nitrogen + carbon dioxide

catalytic converters reduce the amount of

carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide getting into the atmosphere