Question

What is the correct balanced equation for the reaction shown? (black represents oxygen and grey represents nitrogen)

1) 2NO(g)
2) 4N₂(g) + 4O₂(g) → 4NO(g)
3) 2N₂(g) + 4O₂(g) → 4N₂O(g)
4) 2N₂(g)

Answer 1

The correct balanced chemical equation for the formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) from nitrogen monoxide (NO) and oxygen (O₂) is 2NO(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO₂(g).

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct balanced equation for the reaction between nitrogen monoxide (NO) and oxygen (O₂) to form nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is: 2NO(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO₂(g). This equation follows the law of conservation of mass, ensuring that the number of nitrogen and oxygen atoms is the same on both sides of the reaction.

Including the intermediate step, the overall process can be broken down as follows:

1. 2NO(g) → N₂O₂(g) — two molecules of NO combine to form a molecule of N₂O₂.
2. N₂O₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO₂(g) — the N₂O₂ molecule reacts with an O₂ molecule to produce two molecules of NO₂.