Nitric acid:

Description:

Nitric acid is a strong, colorless to pale yellow acid, usually in the form of a corrosive liquid. Its chemical formula is 3HNO 3 , and it is soluble in water. It is produced industrially by the ostwald process, which involves the oxidation of ammonia .

Properties:

• Corrosive: Nitric acid is extremely corrosive and can cause severe burns on contact with skin and tissues.
• Strong oxidizer: Acts as a powerful oxidizing agent in many chemical reactions.
• Reactive with metals: Reacts with many metals, producing nitrates and releasing toxic nitrogen dioxide 2NO 2.
• Gas formation: Concentrated nitric acid can emit toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated.
• Reactivity with bases: It reacts vigorously with bases to form nitric salts.

Uses:

• Chemical industry: Used in the production of various nitrogen compounds, including nitrates.
• Explosives Manufacture: Nitric acid is a key ingredient in the manufacture of explosives such as nitroglycerine.
• Cleaning and Stripping: Used to clean and degrease metal surfaces, particularly in the chemical industry.
• Etching: Used in the etching process to engrave patterns on metals.
• Chemical Analysis: Used as a reagent in various chemical laboratory analyses.