Question

Name the reagent which is able to dissolve metals including gold. Give its composition.

Answer 1

• Gold$\left(\mathrm{Au}\right)$ and Platinum$\left(\mathrm{Pt}\right)$ belong to a class of noble metals because they do not react with almost any chemical reagent.
• Aqua regia is a reagent that is widely used in dissolving noble metals like gold, and platinum.
• It is a yellow-orange or red fuming liquid.
• It is a mixture of concentrated Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ and concentrated Nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ in the ratio $3:1$.