$NH_3(g)+O_2(g) \xrightarrow{P t} NO(g)+H_2 O(l)$
What element is the catalyst in the reaction above?
The chemical equation provided is:
\[NH_3(g) + O_2(g) \xrightarrow{Pt} NO(g) + H_2O(l)\]
In chemical notation, substances written above or below the arrow in a reaction indicate conditions under which the reaction proceeds. Specifically, if a substance is written above the arrow, it is typically a catalyst, which is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent chemical change itself. The symbol 'Pt' stands for platinum, which is a common metal catalyst used in industrial reactions like the oxidation of ammonia. Therefore, the element serving as the catalyst in this reaction is platinum (Pt).
Comparing the identified catalyst 'Pt' with the given options:
The element that matches our identification is 'Pt'. Thus, platinum is the catalyst in the reaction.
Catalysts are essential in many industrial processes. For example, in the production of nitric acid, the Ostwald process uses a platinum-rhodium gauze catalyst to convert ammonia into nitrogen monoxide at high temperatures. This is crucial because it significantly speeds up the reaction, making the large-scale production of fertilizers and other nitrogen-based products economically viable and efficient. By lowering the activation energy, the catalyst allows the reaction to occur at lower temperatures or with faster throughput than would otherwise be possible.