What is the formula of nitric acid?

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Basic Chemical FormulasFormula TypeFormulaExplanationChemical FormulaHNO₃Basic chemical formula showing one hydrogen, one nitrogen, and three oxygen atomsMolecular FormulaHNO₃Same as chemical formula - represents the actual number of atoms in one moleculeEmpirical FormulaHNO₃Simplest whole number ratio of atoms (same as molecular formula for nitric acid)Condensed FormulaHONO₂Alternative representation showing the structural arrangementStructural RepresentationsTypeFormula/StructureDescriptionStructural FormulaH-O-NO₂Shows how atoms are bonded togetherLewis StructureH-O-N(=O)-OComplete electron dot structure with bondsIUPAC NameNitric acidOfficial chemical nameCommon NamesAqua fortis, Spirit of niterHistorical and common namesConcentration-Based FormulasConcentration TypeFormula/CompositionDetailsConcentrated Nitric Acid68-70% HNO₃Commercial concentrated formDilute Nitric Acid<20% HNO₃ in H₂OCommonly used in laboratoriesFuming Nitric Acid>90% HNO₃ + NO₂Red/yellow fuming, highly concentratedMolar ConcentrationM = n/VWhere M = molarity, n = moles, V = volume in litersProduction Formulas (Ostwald Process)StepChemical EquationProcess DescriptionStep 14NH₃ + 5O₂ → 4NO + 6H₂OAmmonia oxidation (catalyst: Pt)Step 22NO + O₂ → 2NO₂Nitrogen monoxide oxidationStep 33NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO₃ + NONitrogen dioxide absorption in waterOverallNH₃ + 2O₂ → HNO₃ + H₂ONet reaction for nitric acid productionDissociation and IonizationProcessChemical EquationExplanationComplete DissociationHNO₃ → H⁺ + NO₃⁻Strong acid - complete ionizationIn WaterHNO₃ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + NO₃⁻Proton transfer to waterKa ExpressionKa = [H⁺][NO₃⁻]/[HNO₃]Very large value (strong acid)Important Reactions with MetalsReaction TypeGeneral FormulaExampleWith Active MetalsM + HNO₃ → M(NO₃)ₙ + NOₓ + H₂OZn + 4HNO₃ → Zn(NO₃)₂ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂OWith CopperCu + 4HNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂OBrown gas (NO₂) evolutionWith SilverAg + 2HNO₃ → AgNO₃ + NO₂ + H₂ODilute acid produces NO insteadReactions with Non-MetalsReactantChemical EquationProductsCarbonC + 4HNO₃ → CO₂ + 4NO₂ + 2H₂OCarbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxideSulfurS + 6HNO₃ → H₂SO₄ + 6NO₂ + 2H₂OSulfuric acid formationPhosphorusP + 5HNO₃ → H₃PO₄ + 5NO₂ + H₂OPhosphoric acid productionPhysical Property FormulasPropertyFormula/ValueUnitsMolecular Weight63.01 g/molGrams per moleDensity (pure)1.51 g/cm³At 25°CBoiling Point83°C (181°F)At 1 atm pressureMelting Point-42°C (-44°F)Freezing pointTitration and Analytical FormulasCalculationFormulaApplicationMolarityM = (n × 1000)/Vn = moles, V = volume in mLNormalityN = M × nn = number of H⁺ ions (1 for HNO₃)pH CalculationpH = -log[H⁺]For dilute solutionsNeutralizationM₁V₁ = M₂V₂Acid-base titrationsEnvironmental and Safety FormulasProcessChemical EquationEnvironmental ImpactAcid Rain Formation4NO₂ + 2H₂O + O₂ → 4HNO₃Major contributor to acid precipitationOzone DepletionHNO₃ + hν → OH + NO₂Photochemical decomposition

Process	Chemical Equation	Environmental Impact
Acid Rain Formation	4NO₂ + 2H₂O + O₂ → 4HNO₃	Major contributor to acid precipitation
Ozone Depletion	HNO₃ + hν → OH + NO₂	Photochemical decomposition

What is the formula of nitric acid?

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Formula Type	Formula	Explanation
Chemical Formula	HNO₃	Basic chemical formula showing one hydrogen, one nitrogen, and three oxygen atoms
Molecular Formula	HNO₃	Same as chemical formula - represents the actual number of atoms in one molecule
Empirical Formula	HNO₃	Simplest whole number ratio of atoms (same as molecular formula for nitric acid)
Condensed Formula	HONO₂	Alternative representation showing the structural arrangement

Type	Formula/Structure	Description
Structural Formula	H-O-NO₂	Shows how atoms are bonded together
Lewis Structure	H-O-N(=O)-O	Complete electron dot structure with bonds
IUPAC Name	Nitric acid	Official chemical name
Common Names	Aqua fortis, Spirit of niter	Historical and common names

Concentration Type	Formula/Composition	Details
Concentrated Nitric Acid	68-70% HNO₃	Commercial concentrated form
Dilute Nitric Acid	<20% HNO₃ in H₂O	Commonly used in laboratories
Fuming Nitric Acid	>90% HNO₃ + NO₂	Red/yellow fuming, highly concentrated
Molar Concentration	M = n/V	Where M = molarity, n = moles, V = volume in liters

Step	Chemical Equation	Process Description
Step 1	4NH₃ + 5O₂ → 4NO + 6H₂O	Ammonia oxidation (catalyst: Pt)
Step 2	2NO + O₂ → 2NO₂	Nitrogen monoxide oxidation
Step 3	3NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO₃ + NO	Nitrogen dioxide absorption in water
Overall	NH₃ + 2O₂ → HNO₃ + H₂O	Net reaction for nitric acid production

Reaction Type	General Formula	Example
With Active Metals	M + HNO₃ → M(NO₃)ₙ + NOₓ + H₂O	Zn + 4HNO₃ → Zn(NO₃)₂ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂O
With Copper	Cu + 4HNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2NO₂ + 2H₂O	Brown gas (NO₂) evolution
With Silver	Ag + 2HNO₃ → AgNO₃ + NO₂ + H₂O	Dilute acid produces NO instead

Reactant	Chemical Equation	Products
Carbon	C + 4HNO₃ → CO₂ + 4NO₂ + 2H₂O	Carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide
Sulfur	S + 6HNO₃ → H₂SO₄ + 6NO₂ + 2H₂O	Sulfuric acid formation
Phosphorus	P + 5HNO₃ → H₃PO₄ + 5NO₂ + H₂O	Phosphoric acid production

Property	Formula/Value	Units
Molecular Weight	63.01 g/mol	Grams per mole
Density (pure)	1.51 g/cm³	At 25°C
Boiling Point	83°C (181°F)	At 1 atm pressure
Melting Point	-42°C (-44°F)	Freezing point

Calculation	Formula	Application
Molarity	M = (n × 1000)/V	n = moles, V = volume in mL
Normality	N = M × n	n = number of H⁺ ions (1 for HNO₃)
pH Calculation	pH = -log[H⁺]	For dilute solutions
Neutralization	M₁V₁ = M₂V₂	Acid-base titrations