Common Tropospheric Chemical Reactions


Creation of Nitrogen Oxides: (requires heat)
N2 + O2 -> NO + NO
Photodissociation: (requires light)
O2 + hv -> O + O (stratosphere only)
O3 + hv -> O* + O2
O* is quite reactive and can create hydroxyl radicals via
H2O + O* -> OH + OH
OH reacts with a variety of compounds that would otherwise accumulate in the atmosphere.
One example is its reaction with the NOx family which results in the formation of acid rain
NO+O3 -> NO2 +O2
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