Question

Correct statements regarding HNO3

A) Oxidising agent only

B) Reducing agent and mild oxidising agent

C) Oxidation state of Nitrogen is +5

D) One of the oxygen is in ‘ -1’ oxidation state

1) A,B,C only
2) A & C only
3) A & D only
4) B & D only ​

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is a option B

Answer 2

Correct statement regarding HNO3 is -

2) A & C only.

HNO3 or nitric acid is strong oxidising agent. This is because nitrogen has oxidation state +5, which can not be further increased. Hence, it acts as oxidising agent.

HNO2 on the other acts as both oxidising and reducing agent. This again occurs due to oxidation state of nitrogen as +3, which can both increase as well as decrease.

Oxidation state of hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is (-2)*3 = -6.

1 + N -6 = 0

N = 5

Hence, oxidation state of nitrogen is +5.