Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) are polluting gases contained in automobile exhaust. Under suitable conditions, these gases can be made to react to form nitrogen (N2) and the less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2).
(a) Write an equation for this reaction.
(b) Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents.
(c) Calculate the KP for the reaction at 25°C. (d) Under normal atmospheric conditions, the partial pressures are PN2 = 0.80 atm, PCO2 = 3.0 × 10-4 atm, PCO 5.0 × 10-5 atm, and PNO 5 5.0 × 10-7 atm. Calculate QP and predict the direction toward which the reaction will proceed. (e) Will raising the temperature favor the formation of N2 and CO2?