1.

Write down the reactions involved during the formation of photochemical smog.

Answer»

Solution :When fossil fuels are burnt, a variety of pollutants are emitted into the earth.s troposphere. Two of the hydrocarbons and nitric oxide build up SUFFICIENTLY high level.
A chain reaction occurs from their interaction with sunlight in which NO is converted into nitrogen dioxide `(NO_2)`. This `NO_2` in turn absorbs energy from sunlight and breaks up into nitric oxide and free oxygen atom.

Oxygen atoms are very reactive and combine with the `O_2` in air to produce ozone.
`O_((g)) + O_(2(g)) HARR O_(3(g))"".........(ii)`
The ozone formed in the above reaction (ii) reacts rapidly with the `NO_((g))` formed in the reaction (i) to regenerate `NO_2. NO_2` is a brown gas and at sufficiently high levels can contribute to haze.
`NO_((g)) + O_(3(g)) to NO_(2(g)) +O_(2(g)) ......... (iii)`
Ozone is a TOXIC gas and both `NO_2` and `O_3` are strong oxidising agents and can react with the unburnt hydrocarbons in the polluted air to produce chemicals such as formaldehyde, acrolein and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).
`3CH_4 + 2O_3 to underset("Formaldehdye")(3CH_2 =O) + 3H_2 O`
`CH_2 = underset("Acroline")(CHCH)=O "" underset("Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)")(CH_3underset(O)underset(||)C OO NO_2)`


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