NO catalyzes the decomposition of N2O, possibly by the following mechanism:
NO(g) + N2O(g) → N2(g) + NO2(g)
2 NO2(g) → 2 NO(g) + O2(g)
(a) What is the chemical equation for the overall reaction? Show how the two steps can be added to give the overall equation.
(b) Why is NO considered a catalyst and not an intermediate?
(c) If experiments show that during the decomposition of N2O, NO2 does not accumulate in measurable quantities, does this rule out the proposed mechanism? If you think not, suggest what might be going on?