Question

a mineral from which nitric acid may be derived

Answer 1

Nitric acid can be obtained from a mineral called as Nitratine. Which occurs mostly in the form of NaNO3 [Sodium Nitrate]

NaNO3 +H2SO4-------->2HNO3 +Na2SO4

Answer 2

Nitric Acid, which is also known as aqua fortis or spirit of niter, is produced by the reaction of nitrogen dioxide with water. Bubbling nitrogen dioxide through hydrogen peroxide can help to improve the acid yield.

Commercially, anhydrous ammonia is oxidised to nitric oxide in the presence of platinum or rhodium catalyst; the nitric oxide is then reacted with atmospheric oxygen to give nitrogen dioxide. This then absorbed in water to form nitric acid and nitric oxide. The nitric oxide is cycled back for reoxidation. This is called the Ostwald process, named after the German scientist Wilhelm Ostwald.

In the laboratory, thermal decomposition of copper nitrate yields nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gases; this then is bubbled through water to give nitric acid.