What Is the Chemical Name for HNO3(aq)?

Nitric acid is the chemical name for HNO3(aq). This compound is composed of hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. The “aq” refers to the fact that the nitric acid is in a solution with water.

Nitric acid is available in two different concentrations – as red fuming nitric acid, which is an 86 percent solution and white fuming nitric acid, which is a 97.5 percent solution. Nitric acid solutions are clear and turn yellowish in the presence of light. It is a strong acid that dissolves many metals, and its fumes are toxic. It is also used to make several commercial products, such as fertilizers, dyes, plastics and explosives.

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