Final answer:
HNO₂ is a molecule known as nitrous acid and comprises hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. When reacting with a strong base, it can ionize, forming nitrite ions and making the solution slightly basic.
Step-by-step explanation:
HNO₂ is b) A molecule. It is known as nitrous acid and consists of a) Hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. Nitrous acid can release a hydrogen ion in solution, becoming the nitrite ion (NO₂⁻).
Nitrous acid, HNO₂, tends to ionize in water, particularly in the presence of a strong base like OH⁻, producing the nitrite ion and water. As a result of the reaction HNO₂ (aq) + OH⁻ (aq) → NO₂⁻ (aq) + H₂O (l), the solution can become slightly basic. This reaction shows the acid-base chemistry typical of nitrous acid when salt forms like KNO₂ are dissolved in water.