Question

Assertion: Nitrogen and oxygen are the main components in the atmosphere but these do not react to form oxides of nitrogen.

Reason: The reaction between nitrogen and oxygen requires high temperature.

Options

• The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.

• Both the assertion and reason are incorrect. 

• Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.

• Both assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.

Answer 1

Both assertion and reason are correct, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.

Explanation:

Nitrogen and oxygen do not react under normal conditions due to the high bond dissociation energy of the N≡N triple bond. However, at very high temperatures (e.g., electric arc ~3273 K), they can combine to form oxides of nitrogen. So, the reason correctly explains the assertion.