Final answer:
The steady state approximation is applied to solve for the concentration of ozone [O3] by balancing the formation and consumption rates of the intermediate O[3p], using the provided rate constants k1 and k3, and the concentrations of NO2 and NO.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked to use the steady state approximation to prove that the concentration of ozone [O3] is equal to k1[NO2]/k3[NO] under the given conditions.
To solve this problem, we would typically set the rate of formation of the intermediate, O[3p], equal to the rate of its consumption, which occurs in two separate reactions: the reaction of O[3p] with O2 to form O3, and the reaction of O3 with NO to reform NO2. Using the rate laws for these reactions along with the steady state approximation that the concentration of the intermediate O[3p] remains constant, we can derive an expression for the concentration of O3 involving the known rate constants k1 and k3, and the concentrations of NO2 and NO.
However, the full mathematical derivation of this proof is not included here. It involves setting up the rate equations, applying the steady state approximation to the concentration of O[3p], and solving for the concentration of O3. It assumes that the production and consumption rates of O[3p] are balanced in a steady state.