Nitric oxide can be oxidized in air to form nitrogen dioxide. At normal atmospheric concentrations this is a very slow process.


2 NO(g) + O2(g) → 2 NO2(g) + 232.4 kJ


Nitrogen dioxide is more commonly formed as a byproduct of vehicle exhaust and it contributes to acid deposition.


The equation indicates that the reaction


A. is exothermic

B. is endothermic

C. is absorbing energy

D. products have more energy than do the reactants