Chemistry

Axel Choi

23 September, 07:22

In an automobile's catalytic converter,

several reactions occur to reduce the amount

of carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, and

unburned hydrocarbon pollutants that are

released in the exhaust gases. The exhaust

gases pass over a ceramic honeycombed

structure with a large surface area plated with

the catalysts platinum, rhodium, and

palladium before they leave the tail-pipe. In

spite of these safeguards, however, studies

have shown that most of the pollutants

released from a car happen during the first

one to two minutes after the car is started,

and then decrease significantly after that.

Which factor affecting reaction rates is

responsible for this phenomenon?

A presence of a catalyst

B temperature

C concentration of reactants

D surface area