Okay, let's determine which formula correctly represents nitrogen monoxide.
1. Nitrogen monoxide is a compound formed from nitrogen and oxygen.
2. The name "monoxide" indicates that there is one oxygen atom present in the molecule.
3. Given the root "mono-" means one, we can reasonably infer that there is one nitrogen atom as well in the compound.
Let's analyze each option:
- A. NO: This indicates one nitrogen (N) atom and one oxygen (O) atom, which fits our description of nitrogen monoxide.
- B. \(ON\): This is simply a rearrangement of the same atoms but doesn’t follow the conventional way chemical formulas are written, where nitrogen would precede oxygen (N before O).
- C. \(NO _2\): This formula suggests one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms, which would be nitrogen dioxide, not nitrogen monoxide.
- D. \(N _2 O\): This indicates two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, which corresponds to dinitrogen monoxide (commonly known as nitrous oxide), not nitrogen monoxide.
Given these observations, the correct formula for nitrogen monoxide is:
- A. NO
Hence, the answer is A. NO.
