15 Facts on HNO3 + Ca(OH)2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Nitric acid is the inorganic compound with the formula HNO3. Ca(OH)2 is a colorless crystal or white powder. Let us discuss some reactions and properties of HNO3 and Ca(OH)2.

HNO3 is used as a strong oxidizing agent. It can be manufactured by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. Calcium hydroxide, also called slaked lime, Ca(OH)2, is obtained by the action of water on calcium oxide.

In the following parts of this article, we will talk about the reaction enthalpy of HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 with conjugate pairs, net ionic equation, conjugate pairs, type of reaction, etc.

What is the product of HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 ?

Ca(NO3)2 and H2O are formed as by-products when HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 react with each other.

2HNO3(aq) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(I)

What type of reaction is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 is ?

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 reactions show double displacement type of reaction or neutralization type of reactions.

How to balance HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 ?

The general equation is between HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 is :

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 → Ca(NO3)2 + H2O

Given below are the steps to balance to above equation.

  • Determine the number of each element involved in the following reaction, in both the reactant and the product side.
ElementsReactantProduct
H32
N12
O57
Ca11
No. of moles of each element on both reactant and product sides before balancing.
  • We find that the number of moles of Calcium are balanced but hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen moles are not balanced.
  • In order to make the number of moles both side equal we have to add 2 moles of HNO3 in the reactant side and 2 moles of H2O in the product side.
ElementsReactantProduct
H44
N22
O88
Ca11
No. of moles of each element on both reactant and product sides after balancing.
  • Hence the balanced equation is:
  • 2HNO3(aq) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → Ca(NO3)2(l) + 2H2O(aq)

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 titrations ?

An acid-base titration between HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 can be performed to estimate the strength of Nitric acid. The procedure for titration is as follows –

Apparatus

Burette, burette holder, pipette, distilled water, conical flask, volumetric flask, wash bottle, stirrer, and beakers.

Indicator

Here we use the  Phenolphthalein indicator .It is an acid-base indicator used to find out the end point of the titration.

Procedure.

  • 0.1 N freshly prepared Ca(OH)2 is taken in the burette.
  • 10 ml of HNO3  is pipetted out into a clean conical flask.
  • Add 1-2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
  • Add Ca(OH)2  dropwise from the burette into the conical flask with constant stirring until the appearance of light pink color. This is the end point of the titration.
  • Note the volume of Ca(OH)2 required to neutralize the sulphurous acid solution.
  • The above procedure is repeated for 3 consistent readings.
  • The strength of HNO3 is calculated using the formula, NCa(OH)2× VCa(OH)2 = NHNO3 × VHNO3

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 net ionic equation ?

The net ionic equation between HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 :

2H+ + 2NO3 + Ca+2 + 2OH→ Ca+2 + 2NO3 + 2H+ + 2OH

The listed down steps are used to derive the net ionic equation:

  • Write the balanced chemical equation:
  • 2HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 → Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O
  • Write the balanced molecular equation along with the physical state..
  • 2HNO3(aq) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → Ca(NO3)2(l) + 2H2O(aq)
  • Now, write the ionic form of each of the substances existing in aqueous form and capable of complete dissociation in water.
  • 2H+ + 2NO3 + Ca+2 + 2OH→ Ca+2 + 2NO3 + 2H+ + 2OH
  • Cross out the spectator ions on both sides of the complete ionic equation
  • 2H+ + 2OH = 2H2O
  • Write the remaining substances as net ionic equation
  • 2HNO3(aq) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → Ca(NO3)2(l) + 2H2O(aq)

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 conjugate pairs ?

The conjugate acid and base pair of HNO3 and Ca(OH)2:

  • The conjugate base of HNO3 is NO3 .
  • Ca2+ is a very weak conjugate acid of Ca(OH)2, hence it has no ability to react with either OH ion or with water molecules ions.

HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 intermolecular forces ?

The intermolecular forces present in between HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 are :

  • In HNO3, Hydrogen bonding( dipole-dipole attraction)and the London forces are present. which binds the hydrogen ion and nitrite ion to form molecules.
  • In Ca(OH)2, strong electrostatic attraction forces between Ca2+ and OH ions, as calcium hydroxide is an ionic compound.

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 reaction enthalpy ?

The reaction enthalpy of HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 reaction is -58.0 kJ/mol.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 a buffer solution ?

The reaction between HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 is not a buffer solution. Because HNO3 is a strong acid, and Ca(OH)2 is a strong base. They can not form a buffer solution.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 a complete reaction ?

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 is a complete reaction, as the products will not react further to form reactants.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 an exothermic or endothermic reaction ?

The reaction between HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 is exothermic in nature as the reaction enthalpy is negative, thereby releasing energy in the form of heat.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 a redox reaction ?

The reaction between HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 is not a redox type of reaction because there is no change in oxidation number towards the product side.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 a precipitation reaction ?

The reaction between HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 is not a precipitation reaction because calcium nitrate(Ca(NO3)2) is formed which is soluble in water so no precipitates are formed.

Is HNO3+ Ca(OH)2 reversible or irreversible reaction ?

The reaction between HNO3 and Ca(OH)2 is the irreversible reaction because salt and water are formed which are not converted back to form reactants.

Is HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 displacement reaction ?

HNO3 + Ca(OH)2 the reaction is a double displacement type of reaction. Because an exchange of ions takes place.

1671450552735
Double displacement reaction

Conclusion –

HNO3 uses include, the production of nitrate salts, making dyes, and coal tar products. It is also used mostly for the purification of precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver. Calcium nitrate is used in wastewater pre-conditioning for odour pollution control, also used as a component of cold packs.