How does an exhaust catalytic converter work?

A catalytic converter is like a superhero inside your car that helps make the smoke from the engine less yucky.

When your car goes vroom, it makes exhaust, the smoky stuff coming out of the tailpipe. This exhaust has bad gases in it, like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which are not nice for the air we breathe.

The catalytic converter is a special box with super powers (not magic, just really smart chemistry). Inside, there’s a bunch of tiny metal pieces, like little helpers. When the bad gases go through it, these helpers help turn them into less yucky stuff, like carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas.

It's kind of like when you mix lemon juice with baking soda, and it fizzes and makes something new, except this happens inside your car every time you drive!