Question

Name the compound HNO₃

Answer 1

• The name of the compound HNO₃ is nitric acid.
• Nitric acid is a strong acid.
• It is also known as the spirit of niter and aqua fortis. In its pure form, it is colorless but as it gets older it turns into a yellow cast.
• This color appears due to the decomposition of nitric acid to oxides of nitrogen and water.
• It is highly corrosive and toxic. It causes severe skin burns.
• It reacts with hydroxides, metals, and oxides to form nitrate salts.

Uses of Nitric Acid:

• It is used to produce ammonium nitrates to manufacture plastic, dye, and fertilizers.
• It is used in making explosives such as TNT.
• It is used in liquid-fueled rockets as an oxidizer.
• In its pure form, it is used in the removal of the wart.
• It is used as a chemical doping agent in electrochemistry.