If 1.82 × 1013 g of NO2 enter the atmosphere every year due to human activities, potentially how many grams of HNO3 can be produced annually?

Question

Acid rain is caused by the reaction of nonmetal oxides with water in the atmosphere. One such reaction involves nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and produces nitric acid (HNO₃):

3NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO₃ + NO

If 1.82 × 10¹³ g of NO₂ enter the atmosphere every year due to human activities, potentially how many grams of HNO₃ can be produced annually?

Answer 1

3NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO₃ + NO ... balanced equation

1.82x10¹³ g NO₂ x 1 mol NO₂/46.00 g = 3.957x10¹¹ moles NO₂

3.957x10¹¹ mol NO₂ x 2 mol HNO₃/3 mol NO₂ = 2.638x10¹¹ moles HNO₃ formed

2.638x10¹¹ moles HNO₃ x 63.01 g/mole = 1.66x10¹³ grams HNO₃