Why does nitric acid always act as oxidising agent?

The oxidising property of nitric acid is based on the fact that when nitric acid undergoes decomposition it yields nascent oxygen which is very reactive. 2HNO3 cone. → H2O + 2NO2 + [O] 2HNO3 dil. → H2O + 2NO + 3[O]This nascent oxygen oxidises metals non-metals organic and inorganic compounds.

Does HNO3 act as reducing agent?

No, nitric acid is a powerful oxidising agent. In nitric acid (HNO3), nitrogen is in its maximum oxidation state of +5, and it cannot be oxidised further to any higher state. So, it cannot act as a reducing agent.

Why HNO3 is only oxidant but HNO2 is both oxidant and reductant?

Selina – Chemistry – Class 7 in hno3 the oxidation state of Nitrogen is +5 which is the maximum oxidation state that can be attained by it. While in HNO2 the oxidation state of Nitrogen is +4. So Nitrogen can get oxidized as wellas reduced. Therefore it acts both as oxidizing and reducing agent.

Which reaction indicates the action of HNO3 as oxidizing agent?

C + 4HNO3 → CO2 + 2H2O + 4NO.

Which can act only as an oxidising agent?

Which can act only as oxidising agent? Explain that SO2 can act as an oxidising agent as well as a reducing agent, but SO3 can act as an oxidising agent only.

Why HNO3 acts as oxidizing agent while HNO2 can act both as reducing and oxidizing agent?

Answer Expert Verified In HNO3 , oxidizing state of nitrogen is +5. In HNO2, oxidation state of nitrogen is +3. Thus oxidation state of nitrogen present in HNO2 can be increased or decreased and hence it can act as an oxidizing agent or as a reducing agent.

Which of the following can act as oxidizing as well as reducing agent nh3 HNO3?

SO2​ can act as oxidising as well as reducing agent.

Which of the following can act as oxidizing as well as reducing agent nh3 HNO3 HNO2?

The oxidation number of nitrogen in HNO3 can only decreasel thus it acts as an oxidising agent. In HNO3 the oxidation number of nitrogen is +3. Thus, it can increase or decrease within the range -3 to +5. Hence it can act as an oxidising as well as reducing agent.

Which of the following acts both oxidising and reducing agent HNO3?

Since, oxidation number of N in HNO2 is +3, so, it can increase by losing electrons or can decrease by accepting electrons. Hence, HNO2 can act both as reducing and oxidizing agent.

Which of the following acts both as an oxidising as well as reducing agent HNO3?

nitrous acid
Nitric acid acts only as an oxidising agent while nitrous acid acts both as an oxidising as well as reducing agent.

How does HNO2 act as a reducing agent?

HNO2 can act as both oxidizing and reducing agent. In HNO2 oxidation number of nitrogen is +3 so, it can either lose or gain electrons and hence acts as both reducing as well as oxidizing agent.

Can no2 act as an oxidizing agent?

nitrogen oxides It is a strong oxidizing agent that decomposes upon heating to form nitrogen and oxygen. Because one-third of the gas liberated is oxygen, nitrous oxide supports combustion better than air. All the nitrogen oxides are, in fact, good oxidizing agents.