Final answer:
Automobiles primarily consume gasoline and produce carbon dioxide and water vapor; however, incomplete combustion also leads to the production of harmful emissions like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Catalytic converters and reformulated gasoline have been instrumental in reducing these emissions, transforming them into less harmful substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Principal Chemicals in Automobile Operation
The operation of an automobile involves the consumption of gasoline and the production of various emissions due to combustion. When gasoline, which is a hydrocarbon-based fuel, burns in an engine, it consumes oxygen and produces primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). However, due to incomplete combustion and high engine temperatures, other harmful emissions are also produced, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases are major contributors to air pollution and can lead to health problems and environmental harm.
To combat this, automotive pollution control devices, like catalytic converters, have been developed. These devices use heterogeneous catalysts to convert harmful emissions into less harmful products. The catalysts enable reactions that transform carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides to nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2). Furthermore, fuel reformulation, which involves the removal of lead and reduction of volatile and unsaturated hydrocarbons, contributes significantly to reducing the formation of photochemical smog by limiting the reactants available for ozone (O3) production.