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

I would think that the second mechanism I drew in the attachment is more likely than the first one to happen. but both do produce nitric acid from the reactants you mentioned. take a look

Answer 2

OK, I'm looking over the second schematic you drew, and lost on step two. Wouldn't you already have HNO3 and H2O? Why does a double bond appear in step four?

Answer 3

The second step only contains a protonated NO2, (NO2H not HNO3) to get that third oxygen onto NO2 to make HNO3, you'll need to make NO2 favourable to become attacked by an OH-, protonating one O on NO2 makes the centre N slightly more positively charged to become attacked by the OH-. the third step contains H2NO3 instead of HNO3, the extra H needs to be removed by another OH- to make HNO3, this is achieved by deprotonated water (OH-)The reason why there is a double bond on the last HNO3 is to balance the charge of the O- with a N+ so +1 -1 = 0, in which the configuration is the most stable.