Question

In Acid Rain caused by car emissions, how does NO2 and OH from water chemically bond to form HNO3 (Nitric Acid)? from the subatomic and a skeletal formula perspectives

Answer 1

Does one covalent bond overpower another? How does the formula rearrange itself step by step?

Answer 2

\[\mathrm{2\,NO_2 + H_{2}O \ \rightarrow \ HNO_2 + HNO_3 } \]
first of all, this is the summed up equation of the nitric acid synthesis.
as you see, it is not as simple as NO2 and OH- =) now, this is a disproportionation reaction. meaning: 2x N(IV) -> N(III) + N(V)

to transfer the electrons between the two nitrogen atoms, they have to be covalently bound into dinitrogen tetraoxide. since the two nitrogens are partially positive charged, a nucleophilic attack will occur from one of the free electron pairs of water, leaving a positively charged oxgen and a negatively charged nitrogen.

now, the disproportionation occurs, pushing one electron to the still partially positively charged nitrogen on the other side by cancelling the covalent bond, and creating one NO2- (+III) and one H2NO3+ (+V). The negative charge will of course end up on one of the oxygens. The final step now is and electrophilic attack from the excessive proton onto NO2- oxygen, forming nitrous acid and nitric acid.

the nitrous acid would disproportionate again into nitric acid and NO. The above is just one process, though. I think, this happens in acid rain.

Answer 3

The NO2 and H20 are covalent compound
Its formed by sharing of electrons

When sharing is not proper it leads to polarity causing formation of small charges. these charges are less than charge on an electron so called as partial charges.

depending on this kind of charges molecules get attracted to opposite charges. It leads to form complex structure . then it will be converted to energy minimum compound.

Overall expression looks simple but understanding reaction kinetics ia very complicated