Which of the following is used to dissolve gold?

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Hydrochloric Acid

Sulphuric Acid

Nitric Acid

Aqua Regia

answer is D.

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Detailed Solution

Concept- Due to its high inertness, gold requires particular handling in order to dissolve. Therefore, in order to oxidise gold, we must utilise an extremely potent oxidising agent. To answer this question, we must identify the acid or combination of acids that are naturally most oxidising.
Because the electrons in gold fall at energies that few molecules or chemicals can match, gold solid is mostly unreactive (i.e., due to relativistic effects). Using aqua regia, gold can be dissolved.
Concentrated hydrochloric acid and nitric acid are combined in a 1:3 ratio to create aqua regia.
Aqua regia is used to dissolve gold. Noble metals like gold, palladium, etc are dissolved in the aqua regia. It is also called royal water.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

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