Question

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

Match each nitrogen compound or microorganism in the left column with its corresponding characteristic property or role in the nitrogen cycle in the right column.

  • Nitrosomonas speciesOxidizes ammonium ions (NH4+NH_4^+) into nitrite ions (NO2NO_2^-) during soil nitrification
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2NO_2)Reddish-brown poisonous gas that dissolves in water to form trioxonitrate(V) acid and dioxonitrate(III) acid
  • Dinitrogen monoxide (N2ON_2O)Neutral oxide that relights a glowing splint by decomposing into nitrogen and oxygen on heating
  • Rhizobium speciesFixes atmospheric nitrogen symbiotically within root nodules of leguminous plants

Answer

Nitrosomonas species matches oxidation of ammonium ions to nitrite ions; Nitrogen dioxide matches reddish-brown poisonous gas forming trioxonitrate(V) and dioxonitrate(III) acids; Dinitrogen monoxide matches neutral oxide that relights a glowing splint; Rhizobium species matches symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume root nodules.
Each nitrogen species or organism is accurately paired with its specific chemical property or nitrogen cycle function: Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonium to nitrite, Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown acidic mixed anhydride, Dinitrogen monoxide is a neutral oxide supporting combustion, and Rhizobium fixes nitrogen in legume root nodules.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Classify the biological roles of the given microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrosomonas species catalyze the conversion of ammonium ions (NH4+NH_4^+) to nitrites (NO2NO_2^-), whereas Rhizobium species fix free atmospheric nitrogen (N2N_2) inside the root nodules of leguminous plants.
Different soil bacteria perform distinct biochemical transformations within the nitrogen cycle.
2
Identify the physical and chemical properties of the specified oxides of nitrogen
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2NO_2) is a brown acidic gas forming HNO3HNO_3 and HNO2HNO_2 with water, whereas dinitrogen monoxide (N2ON_2O) is a neutral gas supporting combustion.
Color, acid-base nature, and thermal decomposition characteristics uniquely differentiate oxides of nitrogen.

Key Concept

Chemical properties of nitrogen oxides and biological processes of the nitrogen cycle
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