Nitrogen Oxide is a pollutant in the lower atmosphere that irritates the eyes and lungs and leads to the formation of acid rain. Nitrogen oxide forms naturally in the atmosphere according to the following endothermic reaction:
N2(g) + 02(g) <---> 2 NO(g)
Kp= 4.1 x 10-31 at 298K
Use the ideal gas law to calculate the concentration of nitrogen and oxygen present in air at a pressure of 1.0atm and a temperature of 298K. Assume that nitrogen composes 78% of air by volume and that oxygen composes 21% of air. Find the "natural" equilibrium concentration of NO in air in units of molecules/cm^3. Ho would you expect this concentration to change in an automobile engine in which combustion is occuring?