Catalytic Converter?

The purpose of the catalytic converter?





A basic explanation of how the catalytic converter functions?





A description of the compounds involved?





The advantages and disadvantages of using the catalytic converter?





do you think the government should mandate that all vehicles sold in the United States have catalytic converters? Why or why not?|||It uses platinum or other precious metals as a catalysis to convert nitrogen oxides to more harmless chemicals, and carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, and any hydrocarbons to CO2 and water.





advantage: converts pollutants to less harmful chemicals


disadvantages: expensive, can break, requires computer controlled lean burn engines.





The government (in the US anyway) already does mandate it's use (I think, or else they mandate the levels of pollutants so low that a catalytic converter is required to meet those limits), and they should continue to do so to as long as needed.