Final answer:
The source of the nitrogen in the NOx emitted from fossil fuel combustion is the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The source of the nitrogen in the NOx emitted from fossil fuel combustion is the atmosphere.
When fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil are burned, nitrogen from the air combines with oxygen to form nitric oxide (NO), which is a precursor to NOx. NO can then react further with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which is one of the main components of NOx.
Therefore, the nitrogen in the NOx emissions comes from the air or the atmosphere.