Identify the reaction intermediate of the following reaction sequence:
$(i)$ $2 SO_{2(g)} + 2 NO_{2(g)} \rightarrow 2 SO_{3(g)} + 2 NO_{(g)}$
$(ii)$ $2 NO_{(g)} + O_{2(g)} \rightarrow 2 NO_{2(g)}$
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Overall: $2 SO_{2(g)} + O_{2(g)} \rightarrow 2 SO_{3(g)}$

• A
  $NO_{2(g)}$
• B
  $NO_{(g)}$
• C
  $SO_{2(g)}$
• D
  $O_{2(g)}$