Uses of Nitric Acid

This acid which is primarily used for the preparation of fertilisers is sometimes known as aqua fortis or the spirit of nitre. This substance’s chemical formula is HNO3. It is a strong oxidant as well as a very corrosive mineral acid. Although it is a colourless acid, older samples will have a yellow tinge owing to nitrogen oxide formation. Nitric acid is available in commercial quantities that are up to 68 per cent w/w concentrated. This is equivalent to 68 g of nitric acid dissolved in 100 mL of water.

What is Nitric Acid?

Nitric acid has the chemical formula HNO3 and is a strong acid. Nature’s spirit and aqua fortis are other names for it. In its purest form, it is colourless but as it matures it takes on a yellow hue. This colour is produced by the breakdown of nitric acid into nitrogen oxides and water. It’s extremely caustic and toxic. It produces severe burns when it comes into contact with the skin. When it reacts with hydroxide metals and oxides, it produces nitrate salts.

HNO3 is a strong oxidising agent. It is created by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. It is a common laboratory reagent as well as a significant chemical in the manufacture of explosives and fertilisers.

Uses of Nitric Acid

Nitric acid is one of the inorganic acids. When pure this acid is a colourless fuming liquid that becomes yellow when nitrogen oxides accumulate. It is highly caustic and poisonous. Nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent that is water-soluble. When it comes into contact with metals oxides and hydroxides it produces nitrate salts.

Nitric acid, also known as the spirit of nitre or aqua fortis, has the chemical formula HNO3 which comprises three oxygen atoms, one nitrogen atom, and one hydrogen atom. The most frequent method for producing nitric acid is to oxidise ammonia. The Ostwald method is the most commonly used. Nitric acid is formed when sodium nitrate and sulfuric acid are mixed. However, it is only accessible in a very limited quantity in this nation. Nitric acid is also included in acid rain.

Uses in Daily Life

The most common application of nitric acid is in schools where it is commonly employed as a laboratory reagent. Diluted nitric acid is used in the woodworking business to manufacture maple and pine wood and give it an aged look. It is also used in the food business among other things to clean food and equipment.

Additionally, nitric acid is used to spot test alkaloids such as LSD. To distinguish between morphine and heroin, colorimetric methods that need nitric acid are also utilised.

Interesting Facts About Nitric Acid

The Ostwald process is in charge of producing nitric acid. This was discovered during the First World Conflict, and it was one of the reasons the war was prolonged. This was owing to Germany’s lack of The main use of nitric acid is in the preparation of fertilisers. which was essential for the production of explosives such as nitroglycerin and nitrotoluene which were used in artillery rounds. Nitrates are only detected in the droppings of fish-eating birds on Guano islands. As a result, another way of producing nitric acid was necessary.

Nitric acid is a very caustic chemical that can inflict irreversible skin burns. It causes human tissue to be burned. It should be handled under the supervision of an expert at school or elsewhere. It should be kept out of students’ reach. Because the concentrated version of the acid is more corrosive than the dilute form, it is rarely used in school demonstrations.

Used in manufacturing several types of polymers like polygamist and polyurethane –

It is used in manufacturing several types of polymers like polygamist and polyurethane. that may be made into a wide range of goods such as flexible and stiff foams, fibres , elastomers, and surface coatings. They are created by combining an isocyanate (a molecule with the functional group NCO) with alcohol (having the functional group OH).

Nitric Acid is also used mostly for the purification of precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver 

Nitric Acid is also used mostly for the purification of precious metals like platinum gold, and silver. is an extremely potent oxidant. Because gold is not soluble in HNO3, when it is treated with it all impurities are oxidised.

Conclusion 

In 1784, English scientist and physicist Henry Cavendish (1731–1810) was the first to identify the chemical nature and composition of nitric acid. Cavendish found that striking moist air with an electric spark generated a new chemical, nitric acid.