Question

Aqueous solutions of nitric acid are (strong/weak?) oxidizing agents that are capable of oxidizing a number of less active metals, including Cu.

A) Strong
B) Weak
C) Neither
D) Both

Answer 1

Aqueous solutions of nitric acid are strong oxidizing agents that can oxidize less active metals, including Cu.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aqueous solutions of nitric acid are strong oxidizing agents that are capable of oxidizing a number of less active metals, including Cu.

Nitric acid, when it dissolves in water, dissociates into nitrate ions (NO3-) and hydronium ions (H3O+). The nitrate ions that are produced can act as oxidizing agents because they have a high tendency to gain electrons.

For example, in the reaction between nitric acid and copper:

3Cu + 8HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O