Answer: NO and NO2 (NOx from supersonic aircraft).
- A NO and NO2 (NOx from supersonic aircraft)
- B N2O5, a stable nitrogen oxide that does not catalyse ozone breakdown
- C HNO3, the stable acid formed in the lower atmosphere from NOx
- D NH3, a basic gas with no catalytic effect on stratospheric ozone
Correct answer: A. NO and NO2 (NOx from supersonic aircraft)
Explanation: NO reacts with O3: NO + O3 → NO2 + O2; then NO2 + O → NO + O2. Net: O3 + O → 2O2. NO is regenerated and catalyses ozone destruction.

Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) has six electron domains around xenon — four Xe–F bonds plus two lone pairs. The lone pairs occupy opposite axial positions, leaving the four fluorine atoms in a square-planar shape (Xe–F ≈ 194 pm). Image: ChemSim, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Concept context
Covers the nitrogen family (Group 15), oxygen family (Group 16), halogens (Group 17), and noble gases (Group 18). One of the highest-weightage inorganic chapters in NEET and JEE - includes preparation and properties of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, interhalogens, and xenon compounds.