Chemistry 12th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0078021510
ISBN 13: 978-0-07802-151-0

Chapter 22 - Nonmetallic Elements and Their Compounds - Questions & Problems - Page 991: 22.46

Answer

Nitric acid can be reduced but not oxidized because nitrogen can have oxidation numbers from −3 to +5. The oxidation number fo nitrogen in HNO3 is +5. Thus, increase in oxidation number beyond +5 cannot occur. Hence, HNO3 cannot act as reducing agent.

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