Final answer:
Nitric acid and methyl 3-nitrobenzoate are distinct substances; nitric acid is a mineral acid used for industrial purposes, while methyl 3-nitrobenzoate is an organic ester employed in organic synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, nitric acid and methyl 3-nitrobenzoate are not the same thing. Nitric acid is a strong mineral acid with the chemical formula HNO₃, commonly used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and in various industrial processes.
On the other hand, methyl 3-nitrobenzoate is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₈H₇NO₄, which is an ester of methanol and 3-nitrobenzoic acid. Methyl 3-nitrobenzoate is typically used in organic synthesis and as a reagent in various chemical reactions.