Question

Natural gas burns with a relatively clean flame. which of the following potential pollutants is produced in significant quantities during the combustion of natural gas in air?

O metal oxides
O nitrogen oxides
O sulfur oxides
O all of the above are produced in significant quantities.

Answer 1

Natural gas combustion primarily produces nitrogen oxides (NOx) as the significant pollutant compared to other potential pollutants like metal oxides or sulfur oxides.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the combustion of natural gas in air, the potential pollutant produced in significant quantities is nitrogen oxides (NOx). Natural gas mainly consists of methane (CH4), and when it is burned in air, it produces less carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) compared to coal or oil, but it does emit NOx.

The high temperatures required for combustion facilitate the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air that forms NOx, contributing to environmental concerns like smog and acid rain.