Nitrous oxide consists of 2 nitrogen atoms combined with one oxygen atom. Nitrous oxide is an oxidizer so it will not burn if subjected to a flame. However it does an outstanding job of contributing to the combustion process and making horsepower. Early experiments quickly learned that when compressed in a tank above 760 psi the gaseous nitrous turns into liquid. When this liquid n2o is released the lower pressure tranforms the liquid nitrous back into a gas but reduces its temperature at the same time dropping it to -127 degrees F.
This is the first advantage of nitrous oxide. Before the oxygen can contribute to the combustiong fuel in the cylinder, just releasing the gas into the intake manifold radically reduces the inlet air temperature as much as 65 degrees which can be worth about 6% in additional power. Typically 1% for every 10 degrees. At this point, in the intake manifold, nitrous is still a combined molecule. Once it finds its way into the combustion chamber and is subjected to a temperature of more than 572 degees F the chemical bond that holds the oxygen and nitrogen atoms together dissassociates and that single oxygen element is free to combust more fuel.
Some parts taken from chevy high perf
This is the first advantage of nitrous oxide. Before the oxygen can contribute to the combustiong fuel in the cylinder, just releasing the gas into the intake manifold radically reduces the inlet air temperature as much as 65 degrees which can be worth about 6% in additional power. Typically 1% for every 10 degrees. At this point, in the intake manifold, nitrous is still a combined molecule. Once it finds its way into the combustion chamber and is subjected to a temperature of more than 572 degees F the chemical bond that holds the oxygen and nitrogen atoms together dissassociates and that single oxygen element is free to combust more fuel.
Some parts taken from chevy high perf