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Which of these items is not in some way reduced by the use of catalytic converters in the combustion of gasoline?

a) CO₂
b) photochemical smog
c) CO
d) NO
e) partially burned hydrocarbons.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Catalytic converters reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO), and partially burned hydrocarbons, which all contribute to photochemical smog. However, they do not reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions; CO₂ is actually a product of the complete combustion of hydrocarbons. Thus, CO₂ is not reduced by the use of catalytic converters.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of the following items is not reduced by the use of catalytic converters in the combustion of gasoline: a) CO₂, b) photochemical smog, c) CO, d) NO, e) partially burned hydrocarbons. Catalytic converters are devices fitted to the exhaust system of gasoline-powered vehicles to reduce harmful emissions by catalyzing a chemical reaction that converts these pollutants into less harmful substances.

Catalytic converters utilize a blend of catalytically active metals such as platinum to ensure the complete combustion of carbon-containing compounds into carbon dioxide (CO₂), and they also reduce nitrogen oxides (NO) into oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen gas (N₂). This reduces emissions like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO), and partially burned hydrocarbons, which all contribute to photochemical smog. However, catalytic converters do not reduce CO₂ emissions; in fact, CO₂ is a product of the complete combustion of hydrocarbons.

Therefore, the correct answer is a) CO₂, which is not reduced by the use of catalytic converters.

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