CHE 1405 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Nitric Oxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Calcium Sulfite
Document Summary
Four main layers based on the properties of the gases there: troposphere (0-10km): contains nearly all living things and human activity. Unique in its ability to support life: stratosphere (10-50km): ozone layer, mesosphere (50-85km, thermosphere and exosphere (90km and up) Usually nitrogen and oxygen coexist in the atmosphere as a simple mixture. Nitrogen is essential to living things but most don"t use it directly. Organisms combine nitrogen with another element nitrogen fixation. Energy from lightning, heat of automobiles and industrial engines fix nitrogen by causing it to combine with nitrogen, forming first nitrogen monoxide (nitric oxide) and then nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form nitric acid and nitrogen monoxide. Nitric acid in rainwater falls on earth"s surface, adding to the supply of available nitrates in the oceans and the soil. Nitrogen is fixed industrially by combining nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia haber- Excess runoff can lead to serious water pollution.