Final answer:
Nitric acid (HNO3) is the substance that turns litmus paper red, indicating it is an acid. Neither AgNO3 nor CaCl2 would change the litmus paper color as they are salts, and NaOH would turn red litmus paper blue because it's a base.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical substances in question are HNO3 (nitric acid), NaOH (sodium hydroxide), AgNO3 (silver nitrate), and CaCl2 (calcium chloride). To determine which substance turns litmus paper red, one must understand the properties of acids and bases. Acids, such as HNO3, turn blue litmus paper red. In contrast, bases, such as NaOH, turn red litmus paper blue. Neither AgNO3 nor CaCl2 will affect the litmus paper in this manner, as they are salts and do not exhibit acidic or basic properties when dissolved in water. Therefore, the only substance that will turn litmus paper red among the ones listed is nitric acid (HNO3), as it is an acid.