Why nitric oxide is colourless

In the presence of lightning or a spark, nitrogen combines with oxygen to form several different oxides. Nitrogen monoxide or nitric oxide NO and nitrogen dioxide NO 2 are the most abundant.

NO x molecules have nitrogen and oxygen atoms in them. Nitrogen oxides are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures. At normal temperatures, oxygen and nitrogen gases do not react together. Nitrogen oxides are produced naturally from a lightning strike. A bolt of lightning can reach temperatures of roughly 30, kelvins 53, degrees Fahrenheit. How many times does lighting strike the earth you might ask?

In large cities, nitrogen oxides are produced from fuel combustion in mobile and stationary sources. The combustion of gasoline in automobiles emit nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere mobile source. Stationary emissions come from coal fired power plants, electric power plant boilers. Natural sources: Mainly thunderstorms due to the extreme heat of lightning.

Forest fire is another natural source. Biogenic: Agricultural fertilization and the use of nitrogen fixing plants through nitrogen fixation by microorganisms. Although naturally produced nitrogen oxides outweigh man-made emissions, NOx from natural sources are typically found at altitudes higher than 5km.

Nitrogen oxides NO x react to form smog and acid rain. NO x reacts with ammonia, moisture and other compounds to form nitric acid vapour and related particles. The impacts of NO x on human health include damage to the lung tissue, breathing and respiratory problems. Nitric oxide NO is not considered to be hazardous to health at typical ambient conditions. However, excess nitric oxide and its products may cause respiratory ailments, hematologic side effects, metabolic disorders, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

In ambient outdoor air, nitric oxide NO , which is emitted by motor vehicles, combines with oxygen in the atmosphere under the action of sunlight, producing nitrogen dioxide NO 2 -a major air pollutant- and other NO x.

Acid rain - Ozone - Precursor s. This summary is free and ad-free, as is all of our content. You can help us remain free and independant as well as to develop new ways to communicate science by becoming a Patron!

Related words:. In smog, the concentration rises twenty-fold to about ppb. Although nitrogen oxides have gained dubious distinction as pollutants, they are also used beneficially in some industrial processes. Nitric oxide is manufactured on a large scale, and is subsequently used to make nitric acid HNO 3. To create nitric oxide for industrial uses, chemists combine ammonia NH 3 with oxygen O 2 , releasing water H 2 O as a byproduct.

Nitrogen compounds derived from nitric acid are used to create chemical fertilizers, explosives, and other useful substances. Skip to main content. Sources of Nitrogen Oxides Scientists estimate that nature produces between 20 and 90 million tons of nitrogen oxides on Earth each year. Term Nitrogen oxides, NOx This website has limited functionality with javascript off. Please make sure javascript is enabled in your browser.

The term 'nitrogen oxides' NOx is usually used to include two gases-nitric oxide NO , which is a colourless, odourless gas and nitrogen dioxide NO2 , which is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent odour. Nitric oxide reacts with oxygene or ozone in the air to form nitrogen dioxide. Inhalation of the pure gases is rapidly fatal. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas and also causes damage to the ozone layer. N2O4 is a dimer in equilibrum with NO2 and N2O5 is very unstable, usually only present in significant quantities at night it is broken by sunlight.

Permalinks Permalink to this version fcfbc0fadb19cdb2 Permalink to latest version fcfbc0fadb19cdb2. Document Actions Share with others. Follow us Sign up to receive our news notifications and our quarterly e-newsletter.