Understanding Nitric Acid: Strong Acid or Weak Acid?
Carla is using a fertilizer that contains nitric acid. How is nitric acid classified?
Is it:
A) Strong Acid
B) Weak Acid
C) Strong Base
D) Weak Base
Answer:
Nitric acid is classified as a strong acid.
Explanation:
Nitric acid is classified as a strong acid because it completely dissociates in water, releasing an abundance of hydrogen ions (H+). This means that when nitric acid is dissolved in water, it breaks apart into hydrogen ions and nitrate ions.
A strong acid, such as nitric acid (HNO3), is one that fully ionizes in water, leading to a high concentration of H+ ions in the solution. This characteristic makes strong acids highly reactive and capable of producing acidic solutions.
On the other hand, weak acids only partially ionize in water, resulting in a lower concentration of H+ ions. Nitric acid's ability to completely dissociate sets it apart as a strong acid in the realm of chemical classifications.
Understanding the classification of nitric acid as a strong acid sheds light on its reactivity and acidic properties, which are crucial factors in its applications in various industries and scientific fields.