Nitrous oxide is a combination of nitrogen and oxygen, with nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) being the most common variants. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced by combustion and can lead to the creation of ozone and “smog”. Efforts are being made to limit their growth and regulate their production. Nitrous oxide (N20) is used as a limited anesthetic and propellant, while other nitrogen/oxygen combinations are generally unstable and not found in nature.
In general chemistry, nitrous oxide is a term for a couple of different combinations of elements: nitrogen and oxygen. The two common variants are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) respectively, where both have a single nitrogen atom attached to one or two oxygen atoms. Other types of nitrogen-oxygen combinations such as nitrous oxide (N20) are sometimes referred to as nitric oxide.
The two common types of nitrogen oxides are sometimes denoted NOx, where x represents a variable for one or two parts of oxygen in the molecule. Much NOx is produced by combustion in traditional engines and is distributed into the atmosphere. Scientists are examining nitrous oxide emissions as part of a global chemical process that changes the air around us and affects the environment’s response to declining air quality.
One problem in the study of atmospheric health is the result of linking NOx with a class of chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs. While manufacturers are trying to limit commercial applications of VOCs, they are still present in many consumables. When NOx merges with VOCs, it creates ozone. This can lead to “smog” in the air and cause health problems for some residents of a particular area where ozone is excessive.
Local and federal agencies are trying to limit the growth of nitric oxide elements in the atmosphere. The US Environmental Protection Agency has published a comprehensive set of educational resources on the effects of nitric oxide changes on its website, to educate the general public about what these chemicals are and what they can do. The international Kyoto Protocol which limits certain types of emissions sometimes called “greenhouse gases” provides for the inclusion of nitrogen oxides in the list of targeted emissions. In addition, various studies continue to examine how engines can regulate the production of nitric oxide as a byproduct of combustion.
Gaseous nitrous oxide is sometimes added to the above molecular types, although technically it should be called nitrous oxide (N20). This gas is used as a type of limited anesthetic and as a propellant for some types of consumer products. Other types of nitrogen/oxygen combinations also include two nitrogen atoms. Items like these, such as dinitro trioxide, are generally unstable and not commonly found in nature.
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