Nitric Acid Nitric Acid Properties of Nitric Acid Nitric Acid displays the properties of a strong acid and it is a powerful oxidising agent. 2 HPO3 Nitric Oxide, NO is prepared by the action of Copper, Cu, or Mercury, Hg, on dilute Nitric Acid, HNO3, and was called Nitrous Air. If the solution is heated the nitrous acid decomposes to give nitric acid and nitric oxide. The dilute solutions of these acids which result give rain water a far greater acidity than normal, and is known as Acid Rain .
Nitrates are the salts of nitric acid, and are strong oxidising agents.
The Oswald Process is the tree stage process by which Nitric Acid, HNO3, is manufactured. Detection and Analysis Boron, B, is detected by converting the material under analysis to Borax, Na2B4O7.10H2O, by heating with concentrated Nitric Acid, HNO3, and then heating with concentrated Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4, and Ethanol, C2H5OH, to form Ethyl Borate, C2H5H2BO3, which burns with a green flame. Copper, Cu, is below Hydrogen, H2, in the electrochemical series and thus, does not react with acids to liberate Hydrogen, H2, unless they are also strong oxidising agents. Thus, Copper metal, Cu, will not react with dilute Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4, or with Hydrochloride Acid, HCl, but it reacts with Nitric Acid, HNO3, to form Oxides of Nitrogen, NOx. This nitrated compound is wrongly called nitro-glycerin.