Question

Why do we call nitric acid a strong oxidizing agent?

Answer 1

Yes Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. Nitric acid vigorously oxidises non-metals, metals, inorganic compounds and organic substances.

Nitric acid itself undergoes reduction to form different reduction products like NO, NO2, N2O, etc., These products depend on the acid concentration and the temperature of the reaction.

Oxidising properties are due to nascent oxygen which it gives on decomposition.

2HNO3(conc.)》on heating》2NO2+H2O+[O].