What substance is created when nitrogen dioxide reacts with sunlight and oxygen?

When nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reacts with sunlight and oxygen (O2), one of the primary products formed is ozone (O3). This reaction is part of a series of chemical transformations that occur in the atmosphere, particularly during photochemical smog formation on sunny days.

In the presence of sunlight, nitrogen dioxide is photolyzed into nitric oxide (NO) and a free oxygen atom (O). This free oxygen can then react with molecular oxygen (O2) to produce ozone (O3). The overall process highlights the role of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the creation of ground-level ozone, which is a key component of smog that can have significant health impacts on the respiratory system.

Understanding this reaction underscores the importance of air quality control and the interactions of different atmospheric chemicals under sunlight, which can significantly influence environmental health. Other substances listed, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, are not the primary products of this specific reaction and represent different processes or sources in atmospheric chemistry.