15 facts about HNO3+H2O: How This Combination Works

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Nitric acid is a relatively strong acid that reacts with water. Let us discuss facts about the HNO3+H2O reaction below.

HNO3 is the chemical formula of nitric acid, a strong acid that tends to ionize almost completely in an aqueous solution. Water is composed of chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen and is a transparent and inorganic. Nitric acid is polar molecule and hence dissociates in water.

In this article, we will discuss the balanced equation of HNO3+H2O, the type of reaction, the ionic equation, the conjugate pair, the buffer solution, the redox reaction and many more facts about the HNO3+H2O reaction.

What is the product of HNO3 and H2O?

The product of HNO3+H2O are hydronium ions (H3O) and nitrate (NO3).

HNO3 + H2O = H3O + NO3

What type of reaction is HNO3 + H2O

The HNO3 + H2O reaction is a redox or oxidation and reduction reaction. When HNO3 is added to H2O, the reaction is exothermic.  

How to balance HNO3+H2O

HNO3 + H2O reaction is balanced using following steps-

HNO3 + H2O = H3O+ NO3  

  • Label each compound reactant and product in the equation represents a variable to the unknown coefficient, such as a, b, c and d
  • a HNO3 + b H2O = c H3O+ + d NO3 –
  • Create a system of equations for each element H, N, and O where each variable in the equation represents several atoms of the element in the reactants and products.
  • H – 1a + 2b = 3c + 0d
  • N – 1a + 0b = 0c + 1d
  • O – 3a + 1b = 1c + 3d
  • Solve for all variables using substitution and gaussian elimination is write below
  • 1a + 2b – 3c= 0
  • 1a – 1d = 0
  • 3a+1b- 1c= 0, get the whole integer is a= 1, b= 1, c=1 and d=1
  • Count the number of atoms in each element on reactants and products part. Here all the elements are equal on both the sides.
  • Thus, the balanced equation is   
  • HNO3 + H2O = H3O+ NO3  

HNO3+H2O titration.

HNO3+H2O titration is not possible in this reaction. Titration take place in the weak acid–weak base mixture but here in this reaction, strong nitric acid reacts with water to form to dilute nitric acid. Therefore, titration is not possible.

HNO3 + H2O net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for the reaction HNO3 + H2O is-

H+ + H2O = H3O+   

Formation of net ionic equation follows some general rules as follows-

  • Write the molecular equation in a balanced form.
  • HNO3 + H2O = H3O + NO3
  • Write the state of each substance as solid, liquid, gas or aqueous solution.
  • HNO3 (aq )+ H2O (l) = H3O(aq) + NO3(aq)
  •  The complete ionic equation splits strong electrolytes into ions.
  • H+ (aq)+ NO3 – (aq)+ H2O(l) = H3O+(aq)+ NO3–(aq)
  • Cross out the spectator ions in the reactants and products side of the complete ionic equation and NO3– is the spectator ion and it will remove from the equation.
  • H+(aq) + H2O(L) = H3O+(aq)
  • The remaining substances in the equation will be the net ionic equation.
  • H+ + H2O = H3O+      

HNO3 + H2O conjugate pairs

Conjugate pairs of the reaction HNO3 + H2O are-

HNO3 + H2O = H3O+ + NO3–

  • Conjugate acid of H2O is H3O+
  • Conjugate base of HNO3 is NO3–

HNO3 and H2O intermolecular forces

HNO3 + H2O shows the following intermolecular forces

  • Dipole–dipole interaction or hydrogen bonding and dispersion interaction are the intermolecular forces that hold the HNO3 molecules.
  • Hydrogen bonds, dipole-induced dipole forces and London dispersion interaction are the intermolecular forces in the H2O molecule.

HNO3 + H2O reaction enthalpy

The HNO3 + H2O reaction has -186.81kJ/mol reaction enthalpy.

Is HNO3 + H2O a buffer solution

HNO3+ H2O cannot form a buffer solution because HNO3 is a strong acid in the reaction and will completely ionize the solution.

Is HNO3 + H2O a complete reaction

HNO3+H2O reaction is a complete reaction because the strong acid HNO3 and H2O react to form hydronium ion and nitrate ion.

 Is HNO3 + H2O an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HNO3+ H2O reaction is an exothermic reaction because the enthalpy value in this reaction is negative(-186.81kJ/mol).

Is HNO3 + H2O a redox reaction

HNO3 + H2O reaction is a redox or oxidation-reduction reaction where O is oxidized and H, N are reduced.

Is HNO3 + H2O a precipitation reaction

HNO3 + H2O reaction is not a precipitation reaction because no precipitate is formed when strong acid HNO3 reacts with water.

Is HNO3 + H2O reversible or irreversible reaction

HNO3 + H2O reaction is reversible because reaction occurs simultaneously among reactants to form products and products react to form reactants.

Is HNO3 + H2O displacement reaction

HNO3 + H2O reaction is a single displacement reaction where H+ ions from the HNO3 are displaced and combined with water to form H3O+and NO3– will stand singly.

Conclusion

This article concluded that strong nitric acid reacts with water to form conjugate acid and conjugate base. Thus, the reaction is a reversible and single displacement reaction.