Topic 7 - Nitric acid

MANUFACTURE OF NITRIC ACID

• All you need to recall of this process is:

          catalytic oxidation                  +air + water

ammonia       →      nitrogen monoxide    →    nitric acid

PROPERTIES OF NITRIC ACID

• It is a dangerous acid.
• It reacts with ammonia to make ammonium nitrate - an important fertiliser.
• When it is dilute, it has reactions typical of other acids like hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid. 
• Characteristics of acid:
  • Acids turn blue litmus red, due to the presence of hydrogen ions (H+) in their solutions.
  • They react with bases and alkalis to give a salt and water. 
  • They react with carbonates. There is an effervescence of carbon dioxide which can be tested with limewater.

CONCENTRATED NITRIC ACID

• In addition to…