Chemistry Question: Nitric Acid Solution Composition
Determine the particles present in a solution of nitric acid and whether it is a strong or weak acid.
Answer:
In a solution of nitric acid, there are no intact nitric acid molecules; only hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).
The correct option is:
a) no nitric acid molecules, only hydronium ions and nitrate ions
Explanation:
Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid, which means it ionizes almost completely when dissolved in water. This ionization process results in the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-), without leaving intact nitric acid molecules in the solution.
The chemical reaction for the dissociation of nitric acid in water is:
HNO3 + H2O → H3O+ + NO3-
As a strong acid, nitric acid donates a proton (H+) to water, leading to the production of hydronium ions (H3O+), while nitrate ions (NO3-) remain as anions in the solution.
This nearly complete dissociation of nitric acid is a characteristic of strong acids, unlike weak acids that only partially ionize in water, resulting in a mixture of intact acid molecules and their ions.
Therefore, the correct option indicating that in a solution of nitric acid, there are no intact nitric acid molecules, only hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-) is option (a).
For further understanding of nitric acid and its properties, you can refer to reliable educational resources.