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Acid rain demonstration: The formation of nitrogen oxides as a by-product of high-temperature flames in connection with internal combustion engines
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Abstract
This demonstration illustrates the formation of nitrogen oxides resulting from a high temperature flame. The procedure is to burn hydrogen from a delivery tube in a 6 liter erlenmeyer flask filled with oxygen. (see original paper for safety precautions.) As the burning proceeds the water from the combustion condenses on the wall of the flask and eventually drips from the mouth of the flask. Air displaces the oxygen consumed. The nitrogen from the air reacts with the oxygen in the presence of the high temperature flame in the flask forming colorless nitric oxide which reacts further to form visible brown nitrogen dioxide in the flask. After the burn water can be introduced into the flask , capped, and shaken. An acid mist forms which slowly dissolves. An acid-base indicator will show that the solution is acid at about a pH 1-2 from nitrous and nitric acid. Nitrogen oxides do not form until the temperature is at least 1300 °C. The hydrogen flame in this demonstration is in the neighborhood of 3000 °C.
Editor's Note: Please read Charles Braun's letter regarding the safety issues of the demonstration (JCE 1999, 76, 757).
Keywords (Audience):
High School / Introductory ChemistryKeywords (Domain):
DemonstrationsKeywords (Feature):
Tested DemonstrationsKeywords (Subject):
NitrogenCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 5 ACS Journal articles (5 most recent appear below).
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Mark A. YoungJournal of Chemical Education2010 87 (2), 180-182Catalytic conversion is an important tool in environmental-remediation strategies and source removal of pollutants. Because a catalyst is regenerated, the chemistry can be extremely effective for conversion of undesirable pollutant species to less harmful ...
A Passive Sampler for Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide in Ambient Air
Lianzhi Lin , Dan Xiao and Hongyan Yuan , Martin M. F. Choi and Winghong ChanJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (8), 1231A Passive Sampler for Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide in Ambient Air
Lianzhi Lin , Dan Xiao and Hongyan Yuan , Martin M. F. Choi and Winghong ChanJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (8), 1231This article describes the use of a passive sampler for detecting and collecting nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in ambient air. This device is based on microporous PTFE membranes that allow air samples to diffuse through and subsequently react with an absorbing ...
A Demonstration of Acid Rain and Lake Acidification: Wet Deposition of Sulfur Dioxide
Lisa M. GossJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (1), 39A Demonstration of Acid Rain and Lake Acidification: Wet Deposition of Sulfur Dioxide
Lisa M. GossJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (1), 39A demonstration showing acid rain and lake acidification is described. In this demonstration, SO2 gas is generated in a large graduated cylinder and then dissolved in water droplets from a simple spray bottle. The droplets carry the acid into simulated ...
Approaching Equilibrium in the N2O4-NO2 System: A Common Mistake in Textbooks
I. A. LeensonJournal of Chemical Education2000 77 (12), 1652Approaching Equilibrium in the N2O4-NO2 System: A Common Mistake in Textbooks
I. A. LeensonJournal of Chemical Education2000 77 (12), 1652The paper deals with a widespread mistake in standard textbooks--an experiment with a shift of the equilibrium in gaseous mixtures of nitrogen oxides upon abrupt compression. Any explanation of this experiment should take into account two facts: ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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