1. Where does nitric acid come from?
Nitric acid is produced majorly by oxidation of ammonia via Ostwald process. Also, small amount of nitric acid are produced by treatment of sodium nitrate with sulfuric acid. Nitric acid is also component of acid rain.
2. Nitric acid tastes like what?
A pH value below 7 and a bitter taste, along with a violent reaction to metals, are some of their properties. Nitric acid is chemically described as HNO3. White, very corrosive, colourless, and very flammable, nitric acid has an acidity of 77.
3. What is the formula of nitric acid?
The formula of nitric acid is HNO3
4. In what way does nitric acid react with water when it contacts it?
H+ is removed from H2 to produce nitric acid. The conjugate acid is H3O+, hydronium; the conjugate base is NO3–, nitrate (this is the nitric acid molecule, but its H+ has been removed.
5. What metals will nitric acid dissolve?
Using concentrated nitric acid on gold and platinum, however, does not oxidize them, and these metals are passivated, and hence can be dissolved with a mixture of acids or a dilute nitric solution.
6. Nitric acid is neutralized by what?
NaOH neutralizes sodium bicarbonate acid. According to this, one-part nitric acid requires one-part sodium bicarbonate. Since 5 percent nitric is not very heavy, 100 gallons of the solution equals 834 pounds of nitric acid.
7. What is the significance of nitric acid in the nitrogen oxide cycle in the atmosphere?
Nitric acid plays a crucial role in the nitrogen oxide cycle in the atmosphere. It's formed when nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reacts with hydroxyl radicals (OH). This nitric acid can then be removed from the atmosphere through wet deposition (rain) or it can photodissociate back into NO2. This cycle affects air quality, acid rain formation, and atmospheric chemistry.
8. How does nitric acid interact with amino acids?
Nitric acid can react with amino acids in several ways. It can protonate the amino group, making the amino acid posit
9. What is the role of nitric acid in the production of nitrobenzene?
Nitric acid is crucial in the production of nitrobenzene through a nitration reaction. Benzene is treated with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids (mixed acid). The nitric acid provides the nitro group (NO2) that replaces a hydrogen atom on the benzene ring, forming nitrobenzene. This is an important industrial process as nitrobenzene is a precursor to many other chemicals.
10. How does the structure of nitric acid contribute to its properties?
The structure of nitric acid (HNO3) features a planar arrangement with the nitrogen atom at the center, bonded to three oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom. This structure allows for complete dissociation in water, making it a strong acid. The presence of oxygen atoms also contributes to its oxidizing properties.
11. What is the impact of nitric acid on the ozone layer?
While nitric acid itself doesn't directly deplete the ozone layer, its precursors (nitrogen oxides) play a role in ozone depletion. In the stratosphere, nitrogen oxides can catalyze ozone destruction. However, they can also interfere with ozone-depleting cycles of other compounds, making their overall effect complex.
12. How does nitric acid behave as a conductor of electricity?
Pure anhydrous nitric acid is a poor conductor of electricity. However, when dissolved in water, it dissociates completely into ions (H+ and NO3-), making the solution a good conductor of electricity. The conductivity increases with concentration up to a certain point, after which it may decrease due to ion association at very high concentrations.
13. How does the concentration of nitric acid affect its reactivity?
The concentration of nitric acid significantly affects its reactivity. Dilute nitric acid behaves primarily as an acid, while concentrated nitric acid (>68%) acts as a powerful oxidizing agent. For example, dilute nitric acid will react with magnesium to produce hydrogen gas, while concentrated nitric acid will produce nitrogen oxides instead.
14. What is the role of nitric acid in the production of explosives?
Nitric acid is essential in the production of many explosives due to its ability to introduce nitro groups into organic molecules through nitration reactions. For example, it's used to produce nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and nitrocellulose. The nitro groups in these compounds are unstable and release energy rapidly when detonated.
15. Why is nitric acid considered a strong acid?
Nitric acid is considered a strong acid because it completely dissociates in water, releasing all of its hydrogen ions (H+). This results in a high concentration of H+ ions in solution, giving it strong acidic properties.
16. What is the oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric acid?
In nitric acid (HNO3), the oxidation state of nitrogen is +5. This high oxidation state contributes to nitric acid's strong oxidizing properties.
17. What is the difference between concentrated and dilute nitric acid?
Concentrated nitric acid typically contains 68-70% HNO3 by mass in water, while dilute nitric acid has a lower concentration. Concentrated nitric acid is a stronger oxidizing agent and more corrosive, while dilute nitric acid behaves more like a typical strong acid without as pronounced oxidizing properties.
18. Why does nitric acid turn yellow when exposed to light?
Nitric acid turns yellow when exposed to light due to the decomposition of HNO3 into nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This reaction is accelerated by light and heat, producing the characteristic yellow color of NO2 gas.
19. How does nitric acid behave as an oxidizing agent?
Nitric acid acts as a strong oxidizing agent due to its ability to readily accept electrons. It can oxidize many metals and non-metals, often producing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as a reduction product. This oxidizing property makes it useful in various industrial processes and chemical reactions.
20. What is the connection between nitric acid and nitrogen fixation?
While nitric acid itself is not directly involved in nitrogen fixation, it's part of the broader nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric N2 into ammonia, which can be oxidized to form nitrites and then nitrates. In acidic conditions, these nitrates can form nitric acid. Industrially, the production of nitric acid often starts with ammonia derived from nitrogen fixation processes.
21. How does nitric acid behave at high pressures?
At high pressures, the properties of nitric acid can change significantly. Increased pressure can affect its boiling point, density, and reactivity. Under very high pressures, it may exhibit different phase behaviors and could potentially form new compounds or structures. However, handling nitric acid under high pressure conditions requires extreme caution due to safety concerns.
22. What is the boiling point of nitric acid and why is it significant?
The boiling point of pure nitric acid is about 83°C (181°F). This relatively low boiling point is significant because it means nitric acid can easily vaporize, creating potentially hazardous fumes. It also forms an azeotrope with water at 68% concentration, which boils at 121.9°C (251.4°F).
23. How does temperature affect the properties of nitric acid?
Temperature significantly affects nitric acid's properties. At higher temperatures, it becomes more volatile and its oxidizing power increases. Conversely, at very low temperatures, it can form a white solid. Temperature also affects its decomposition rate, with higher temperatures accelerating the breakdown into nitrogen oxides and water.
24. What is fuming nitric acid?
Fuming nitric acid is a solution of nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide. It appears yellow to red and releases reddish-brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide. It is an extremely potent oxidizer and more reactive than regular concentrated nitric acid.
25. What is the difference between nitric acid and nitrous acid?
Nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrous acid (HNO2) differ in their oxygen content and properties. Nitric acid is a strong acid and powerful oxidizer, while nitrous acid is a weak acid and reducing agent. Nitric acid is stable, while nitrous acid easily decomposes. Nitric acid has nitrogen in the +5 oxidation state, while in nitrous acid it's +3.
26. How does nitric acid behave differently from other strong acids like hydrochloric acid?
While both are strong acids, nitric acid is also a powerful oxidizing agent due to its high oxygen content. This means nitric acid can oxidize many substances that hydrochloric acid cannot. For example, nitric acid can dissolve copper, while hydrochloric acid alone cannot.
27. What are the main uses of nitric acid?
Nitric acid has numerous industrial applications, including: production of fertilizers (e.g., ammonium nitrate), manufacture of explosives (e.g., nitroglycerin), metal etching and cleaning, production of dyes and plastics, and as a key reagent in various chemical processes.
28. What is aqua regia, and why is nitric acid a key component?
Aqua regia is a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in a 1:3 ratio. Nitric acid is a key component because it acts as a powerful oxidizing agent, which allows aqua regia to dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum that are resistant to other acids.
29. How does nitric acid contribute to acid rain?
Nitric acid contributes to acid rain when nitrogen oxides (NOx) from various sources react with water vapor and oxygen in the atmosphere. These reactions form nitric acid, which then falls as acid rain, causing environmental damage to ecosystems, buildings, and water sources.
30. What safety precautions should be taken when handling nitric acid?
When handling nitric acid, important safety precautions include: wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (goggles, gloves, lab coat), working in a well-ventilated area or fume hood, avoiding contact with skin or eyes, never adding water to concentrated acid (always add acid to water), and having proper neutralizing agents and an eyewash station nearby.
31. How is nitric acid prepared industrially?
Nitric acid is primarily produced industrially through the Ostwald process. This process involves three main steps: 1) Catalytic oxidation of ammonia to form nitric oxide (NO), 2) Further oxidation of NO to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 3) Absorption of NO2 in water to form HNO3.
32. How does nitric acid interact with bases?
Nitric acid, being a strong acid, reacts vigorously with bases in neutralization reactions. It forms nitrate salts and water. For example, with sodium hydroxide: HNO3 + NaOH → NaNO3 + H2O. The reaction is exothermic and goes to completion due to the full dissociation of nitric acid.
33. What is the significance of nitric acid in forensic science?
In forensic science, nitric acid is used in various analytical techniques. It's used in the digestion of organic materials for metal analysis, in the development of latent fingerprints on metal surfaces, and in the separation of DNA from bone samples. Its strong oxidizing properties make it useful in breaking down complex organic materials.
34. What is the chemical formula of nitric acid?
The chemical formula of nitric acid is HNO3. It consists of one hydrogen atom, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms.
35. What is the role of nitric acid in the nitrogen cycle?
In the nitrogen cycle, nitric acid plays a role in the process of nitrification. Certain bacteria in soil and water convert ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates. These nitrates can form nitric acid in the presence of water, which can then be taken up by plants or further processed by denitrifying bacteria.
36. How does nitric acid compare to sulfuric acid in terms of strength and reactivity?
Both nitric and sulfuric acids are strong acids, but they differ in their properties. Sulfuric acid is slightly stronger as an acid, while nitric acid is a more powerful oxidizing agent. Sulfuric acid is more corrosive to many materials and more readily removes water from organic compounds (dehydration). Nitric acid, on the other hand, is more likely to cause oxidation reactions and nitration of organic compounds.
37. How is the strength of nitric acid measured?
The strength of nitric acid is typically measured by its concentration, often expressed as a percentage by mass or molarity. Its acid strength can be quantified by its pKa value (-1.4), which indicates it's a strong acid that fully dissociates in water. In practical terms, titration against a standard base can determine its concentration and strength.
38. What is the relationship between nitric acid and nitrates in groundwater?
Nitric acid can contribute to nitrate contamination in groundwater. When nitric acid in acid rain or from industrial sources enters the soil, it can form nitrate ions. These nitrates are highly soluble and can easily leach into groundwater. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can be harmful, especially to infants, causing methemoglobinemia or "blue baby syndrome."
39. How does nitric acid react with metals?
Nitric acid reacts with most metals, but the products depend on the concentration of the acid and the reactivity of the metal. With less reactive metals like copper, concentrated nitric acid produces nitrogen dioxide (NO2). With more reactive metals or dilute acid, nitric oxide (NO) or even nitrogen (N2) can be produced. Some very reactive metals like magnesium can reduce nitric acid to ammonia (NH3).
40. Why doesn't nitric acid attack gold and platinum?
Nitric acid alone doesn't attack gold and platinum because these noble metals have high reduction potentials. They are resistant to oxidation by single acids. However, in combination with hydrochloric acid (forming aqua regia), nitric acid can dissolve these metals due to the synergistic effect of both acids.
41. How does nitric acid react with organic compounds?
Nitric acid reacts with many organic compounds through nitration reactions, where a nitro group (-NO2) is introduced into the molecule. This is important in the production of many explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. It can also oxidize organic compounds, sometimes violently, especially with concentrated acid.
42. How does nitric acid affect proteins?
Nitric acid denatures proteins by breaking hydrogen bonds and disrupting the protein's secondary and tertiary structures. It also reacts with aromatic amino acids like tyrosine, causing a yellow color. This property is used in the xanthoproteic test to detect the presence of proteins.
43. How does nitric acid participate in the formation of photochemical smog?
Nitric acid plays a role in photochemical smog formation through its precursor, nitrogen dioxide (NO2). When NO2 is exposed to sunlight, it breaks down to form nitric oxide (NO) and atomic oxygen (O). The atomic oxygen then reacts with molecular oxygen to form ozone (O3), a major component of smog. Additionally, nitric acid can form particulate matter in the air, contributing to smog.
44. What is the connection between nitric acid and fertilizers?
Nitric acid is crucial in fertilizer production, particularly for nitrate-based fertilizers. It's used to produce ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer, by reacting nitric acid with ammonia. The nitrate ion from nitric acid provides a readily available form of nitrogen for plants, essential for their growth and development.
45. How does nitric acid affect the human body upon exposure?
Exposure to nitric acid can severely damage the human body. It causes chemical burns on skin contact, can severely damage eyes, and its fumes can irritate and damage the respiratory system. Ingestion can cause severe internal burns. Long-term exposure to lower concentrations can lead to dental erosion, chronic bronchitis, and increased risk of respiratory infections.
46. What is the significance of nitric acid in the car industry?
In the automotive industry, nitric acid is used in various processes including metal etching, electroplating, and in the production of certain car components. It's also used in the recycling of catalytic converters to recover precious metals like platinum and palladium.
47. What is the role of nitric acid in the production of nylon?
Nitric acid plays a crucial role in the production of adipic acid, a key precursor in nylon manufacture. It oxidizes cyclohexane or cyclohexanol to form adipic acid, which is then polymerized with hexamethylenediamine to produce nylon-6,6, one of the most common forms of nylon.
48. How does nitric acid affect different types of rocks and minerals?
Nitric acid reacts differently with various rocks and minerals. It readily dissolves carbonate rocks like limestone and marble, producing carbon dioxide gas. It can also dissolve some silicate minerals, though less easily. Many sulfide minerals react with nitric acid to produce sulfur dioxide. However, it has little effect on quartz and other resistant minerals.
49. How does nitric acid contribute to the aging of certain polymers?
Nitric acid can accelerate the aging of certain polymers through oxidation reactions. It can attack the polymer chains, causing them to break or form new cross-links. This can lead to changes in the material's properties, such as becoming brittle, changing color, or losing strength. Polymers with unsaturated bonds or easily oxidizable groups are particularly susceptible.
50. What is the role of nitric acid in the production of phosphoric acid?
Nitric acid is used in one method of phosphoric acid production known as the nitrophosphate process. In this process, phosphate rock is treated with nitric acid, producing phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate. The calcium nitrate is then converted back to nitric acid and a calcium salt, allowing the nitric acid to be recycled in the process.
51. How does nitric acid affect the corrosion of metals?
Nitric acid is highly corrosive to most metals. It can rapidly oxidize metals, forming metal nitrates and nitrogen oxides. The corrosion rate depends on the concentration of the acid and the type of metal. Some metals like aluminum and chromium form a protective oxide layer in concentrated nitric acid, becoming "passivated" and resistant to further corrosion.
