Chemical formula of nitric acid

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

The  Chemical formula of nitric acid is HNO3.

Characteristics of nitric acid

 

Characteristics Details
Chemical formula HNO3
Molecular weight 63.01 g/mol
Appearance Colorless to yellowish liquid
Odor Pungent
Density 1.50 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Melting point -42 °C
Boiling point 83 °C
Solubility in water Completely miscible, forms a highly acidic solution
Corrosive Strongly corrosive to many metals and organic materials
Oxidizing properties Strong oxidizing agent, reacts with many substances
Uses Production of fertilizers, explosives, and dyes; etching
Health hazards Corrosive to skin and eyes, can cause severe burns
Environmental hazards Can contribute to acid rain and water pollution

Reaction of nitric acid with Alkali Metal

 

 

Alkali Metal Reaction with Nitric Acid Balanced Chemical Equation
Lithium (Li) Fast reaction occur result in formation of lithium nitrate and hydrogen. 2Li + 2HNO3 → 2LiNO3 + H2
Sodium (Na) Fast reaction occur result in formation of sodium nitrate and hydrogen. 2Na + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2
Potassium (K) Fast reaction occur result in formation of potassium nitrate and hydrogen. 2K + 2HNO3 → 2KNO3 + H2
Rubidium (Rb) Fast reaction occur result in formation of rubidium nitrate and hydrogen. 2Rb + 2HNO3 → 2RbNO3 + H2
Caesium (Cs) Fast reaction occur result in formation of caesium nitrate and hydrogen. 2Cs + 2HNO3 → 2CsNO3 + H2

 

Reaction of nitric acid with Alkaline Earth Metal

 

Alkaline Earth Metal Reaction with Nitric Acid Balanced Chemical Equation
Beryllium (Be) Passivation occurs, a thin layer of beryllium oxide is formed. 2Be + 4HNO3 → 2Be(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + O2 + 2H2O
Magnesium (Mg) Slow reaction, produces magnesium nitrate and hydrogen. Mg + 2HNO3 → Mg(NO3)2 + H2
Calcium (Ca) Fast reaction occur result in formation of calcium nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, and water. Ca + 2HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O
Strontium (Sr) Fast reaction occur result in formation of strontium nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, and water. Sr + 2HNO3 → Sr(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O
Barium (Ba) Fast reaction occur result in formation of barium nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, and water. Ba + 2HNO3 → Ba(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O

 

 

Reaction of nitric acid with Transition Metal

Transition Metal   Balanced Chemical Equation
Iron (Fe)   3Fe + 8HNO3 → 3Fe(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
Copper (Cu)   3Cu + 8HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
Silver (Ag)   3Ag + 4HNO3 → 3AgNO3 + NO + 2H2O
Gold (Au)   4Au + 8HNO3 → 4Au(NO3)3 + 3NO + 4H2O
Platinum (Pt)   Pt + 4HNO3 + 2HCl → H2PtCl6 + 4NO2 + 2H2O + Cl2
Mercury (Hg)   Hg + 4HNO3 → Hg(NO3)2 + 2H2O + NO2

 

Reaction of nitric acid with Non-Transition Metal

Non-Transition Metal   Balanced Chemical Equation
Aluminum (Al)   2Al + 6HNO3 → 2Al(NO3)3 + 3H2O
Zinc (Zn)   Zn + 2HNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + H2O
Tin (Sn)   Sn + 4HNO3 → SnO2 + 4NO2 + 2H2O
Lead (Pb)   3Pb + 8HNO3 → 3Pb(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
Bismuth (Bi)   2Bi + 6HNO3 → 2Bi(NO3)3 + 3H2O
Antimony (Sb)   2Sb + 5HNO3 → Sb2O5 + 5NO2 + H2O
Selenium (Se)   Se + 6HNO3 → H2SeO4 + 6NO2 + 2H2O
Tellurium (Te)   Te + 8HNO3 → H6TeO6 + 8NO2 + 2H2O

 

Reaction of nitric acid with Non-Metal

Non-Metal   Balanced Chemical Equation
Hydrogen   4HNO3 + 4H+ + 4e- → 2H2O + 2NO + NO2
Carbon   C + 4HNO3 → CO2 + 4NO2 + 2H2O
Sulfur   S + 6HNO3 → H2SO4 + 6NO2 + 2H2O
Phosphorus   P4 + 20HNO3 → 4H3PO4 + 20NO2 + 2H2O
Iodine   3I2 + 10HNO3 → 6HIO3 + 10NO2 + 2H2O
Bromine   3Br2 + 10HNO3 → 6HBrO3 + 10NO2 + 2H2O
Chlorine   6Cl2 + 20HNO3 → 12HClO3 + 20NO2 + 2H2O
Nitrogen   N2 + 6HNO3 → 2HNO3 + 4NO2 + H2O

Reaction of nitric acid with Lanthanide

 

Lanthanide   Balanced Chemical Equation
Cerium   2Ce + 12HNO3 → 2Ce(NO3)4 + 3H2 + 4NO
Praseodymium   2Pr + 12HNO3 → 2Pr(NO3)3 + 3H2 + 4NO
Neodymium   2Nd + 12HNO3 → 2Nd(NO3)3 + 3H2 + 4NO
Samarium   2Sm + 12HNO3 → 2Sm(NO3)3 + 3H2 + 4NO

 

Reaction of nitric acid with Actinide

 

Actinide   Balanced Chemical Equation
Uranium   U + 4HNO3 → UO2(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
Plutonium   Pu + 6HNO3 → Pu(NO3)4 + 4NO2 + 3H2O
Americium   2Am + 12HNO3 → 2Am(NO3)3 + 3H2 + 4NO
Curium   2Cm + 12HNO3 → 2Cm(NO3)3 + 3H2 + 4NO

 

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