Question

in the atmosphere, nitric oxide forms when a lightning strike causes nitrogen gas to react with oxygen gas. consider the following reaction: 3 molecules of nitrogen (n₂) react with 3 molecules of oxygen (o₂) to produce some amount of nitric oxide (no). complete the table below. chemical element number of atoms in the reaction n o during this reaction, how many molecules of nitric oxide (no) are produced?

Explanation:

For the number of N atoms:

Step1: Calculate N atoms from N₂

Each \( \text{N}_2 \) molecule has 2 N atoms. There are 3 \( \text{N}_2 \) molecules. So total N atoms: \( 3\times2 = 6 \).

Step2: No other N sources, so total N atoms = 6.

For the number of O atoms:

Step1: Calculate O atoms from O₂

Each \( \text{O}_2 \) molecule has 2 O atoms. There are 3 \( \text{O}_2 \) molecules. So total O atoms: \( 3\times2 = 6 \).

For the number of NO molecules:

Step1: Balance the reaction

The reaction is \( \text{N}_2 + \text{O}_2
ightarrow \text{NO} \). Balanced: \( \text{N}_2 + \text{O}_2 = 2\text{NO} \). For 3 \( \text{N}_2 \) and 3 \( \text{O}_2 \), the ratio is 1:1:2. So moles of NO: \( 3\times2 = 6 \) (since 1 \( \text{N}_2 \) gives 2 NO, 3 \( \text{N}_2 \) gives 6 NO).

Answer:

s:

• Number of N atoms: \( \boldsymbol{6} \)
• Number of O atoms: \( \boldsymbol{6} \)
• Number of NO molecules: \( \boldsymbol{6} \)