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Difficulty: MediumNitrogen Gas, Nitrogen Cycle, and Oxides of Nitrogen

Match each nitrogen oxide or nitrogen cycle component in Column I with its correct physical property or biological role in Column II.

  • Dinitrogen monoxide (N2ON_2O)A sweet-smelling, neutral gas that relights a glowing splint
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2NO_2)A reddish-brown, acidic gas that dissolves in water to form a mixture of two acids
  • Nitrosomonas bacteriaConverts soil ammonium ions (NH4+NH_4^+) into trioxonitrate(III) ions (NO2−NO_2^-)
  • Nitrobacter bacteriaConverts soil trioxonitrate(III) ions (NO2−NO_2^-) into trioxonitrate(V) ions (NO3−NO_3^-)

Answer

Dinitrogen monoxide (N2ON_2O) matches with 'A sweet-smelling, neutral gas that relights a glowing splint'. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2NO_2) matches with 'A reddish-brown, acidic gas that dissolves in water to form a mixture of two acids'. Nitrosomonas bacteria matches with 'Converts soil ammonium ions (NH4+NH_4^+) into trioxonitrate(III) ions (NO2−NO_2^-)'. Nitrobacter bacteria matches with 'Converts soil trioxonitrate(III) ions (NO2−NO_2^-) into trioxonitrate(V) ions (NO3−NO_3^-)'.
Each nitrogen oxide and nitrifying bacterium is correctly associated with its characteristic chemical behavior or distinct biochemical pathway in the nitrogen cycle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Differentiate between the physical and chemical properties of the nitrogen oxides.
N2ON_2O is neutral and sweet-smelling while supporting combustion. NO2NO_2 is acidic, reddish-brown, and forms HNO2HNO_2 and HNO3HNO_3 upon reaction with water.
Oxides of nitrogen vary in color, acidity, and combustion-supporting capabilities depending on the oxidation state of nitrogen.
2
Differentiate the roles of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle.
Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonium to nitrite (NO2−NO_2^-), whereas Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrite (NO2−NO_2^-) to nitrate (NO3−NO_3^-).
Nitrification proceeds in two distinct enzymatic steps mediated by specialized microbial species.

Key Concept

Properties of Nitrogen Oxides and Biological Nitrification Stages
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Topics

Nitrogen Gas, Nitrogen Cycle, and Oxides of Nitrogen

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