Discuss briefly the following:

Catalytic converter

Catalytic converter

(i) Catalytic converters are devices fitted in automobiles to reduce the emission of harmful and poisonous gases.

(ii) They contain metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium as catalysts that convert the unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide(CO) and nitric oxide passing through them into less harmful Carbon dioxide(CO₂), water and nitrogen respectively.

(iii) Automobiles fitted with catalytic converters should use unleaded petrol because lead in petrol inactivates the catalysts.