Why is nitric acid (HNO3) not used to prepare hydrogen in the lab?
AHNO3 is a strong oxidising acid
BHNO3 freezes solid at room temperature
CHNO3 reacts only with non-metals
DHNO3 is too dilute by nature
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. HNO3 is a strong oxidising acid
1. Nitric acid is a powerful oxidising acid.
2. Any hydrogen it would produce is immediately oxidised to water.
3. Instead, oxides of nitrogen are evolved.
4. Hence HNO3 is unsuitable for H2 preparation.
_Source: Selina Concise Chemistry Class 8, Ch on Hydrogen (Mistral OCR'd PDF), section on lab preparation precautions_
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