Nitric oxide facts for kids
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Nitric oxide also known as nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound. It contains nitrogen in its +2 oxidation state. It has the chemical formula NO. It contains nitrogen and oxide ions.
Contents
Properties
It is a colorless gas. It is easily oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by air. It can react with a mixture of air and water to make nitrous acid. It glows when reacted with ozone.
Preparation
It is made by reacting ammonia with oxygen with a catalyst. It is also made in lightning. It can be made in small amounts by reacting copper with nitric acid. It can also be made by reducing nitrous acid with compounds such as iron(II) sulfate.
Uses
It is used in making nitric acid from ammonia. The ammonia is reacted with air to make nitric oxide. The nitric oxide is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by air. The nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in water to make nitric acid and more nitric oxide.
It is also used as a stimulant in the human body. It has many actions in the human body that are being studied.
Safety
Nitric oxide is toxic when breathed in. It also easily is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide, a toxic brown choking substance.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Óxido de nitrógeno(II) para niños
