Question

Can nitric acid be stored in the glass?

Answer 1

Nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$:

1. Nitric acid is a strong acid and strong oxidizing agent.
2. Its pure form is colourless but as it gets older it becomes yellowish.
3. This colour appears due to the decomposition of nitric acid into oxides of nitrogen and water.
4. Hence nitric acid must be stored in a dark-coloured glass bottle, to prevent sunlight from entering the bottle and decomposing the acid.