Question

Is ${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$a base or acid?

Answer 1

Explanation:

${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$ is sometimes a strong acid, base, nitrating agent, and heavy oxidizing agent.

1. It acts as a base in the presence of a strong acid.
2. Since the conjugate base is more stable, nitrous acid is a weaker acid than nitric acid.
3. The additional negative charge on the ${\mathrm{NO}}_3$ ion is distributed across three oxygen atoms, while the additional negative charge on the NO2 ion is distributed across two oxygen atoms.

Hence, ${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$ is an acid, not a base.