Question

Mention three important uses of nitric acid. Give the property of nitric acid involved in the use.

Answer 1

Three important uses of nitric acid:

1. Nitric acid provides acts as an acid and an oxidiser. It is capable of dissolving impurities present in inert metals like gold, silver and platinum, and thus it can be used in the purification of silver, gold and platinum.
2. Nitric acid can supply large amount of nascent oxygen, thus it is used as an oxidiser in rocket fuels.
3. Nitric acid can be used in the manufacturing of explosives, fertilisers, nitrates, dye, perfumes, drugs, etc as it is a good nitrating agent