When nitrogen reacts with oxygen, which two compounds are commonly formed?

• A. Ammonia (NH_3) and nitrous oxide (N_2O)
• B. Nitrogen trichloride (NCl_3) and nitrogen monoxide (NO)
• C. Nitric acid (HNO_3) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N_2O_5)
• D. Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO_2)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem context. When nitrogen (N_2) reacts with oxygen (O_2), especially at high temperatures such as in combustion or lightning, nitrogen oxides are formed. These are important atmospheric compounds.
2. Step 2: Identify common nitrogen oxides formed from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen. The two most common are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO_2). These are collectively called NOx gases.
3. Step 3: Recognize that ammonia (NH_3) and nitrous oxide (N_2O) are nitrogen compounds but are not directly formed from the simple reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases.
4. Step 4: Note that nitrogen trichloride (NCl_3) involves chlorine, so it is unrelated to the direct reaction between nitrogen and oxygen.
5. Step 5: Understand that nitric acid (HNO_3) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N_2O_5) are nitrogen-oxygen compounds but are typically formed through further reactions involving nitrogen oxides and water or oxygen, not directly from nitrogen and oxygen gas reacting.