Question

why Hno3 is highly oxidising agent​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Nitrogen can have oxidation numbers from −3 to +5. The oxidation number fo nitrogen in HNO

3

is +5. Thus, increase in oxidation number beyond +5 cannot occur. Hence, HNO

3

cannot act as reducing agent. The oxidation number of nitrogen in HNO

3

can only decrease; thus it acts as an oxidising agent. In HNO

2

, the oxidation number of nitrogen is +3. Thus, it can increase or decrease within the range −3 to +5. Hence, it can act as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent.