Nitric acid acts only as an oxidising agent while nitrous acid acts bo

1.	Nitric acid acts only as an oxidising agent while nitrous acid acts both as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent. Why?
Answer» (i) Nitric Acid HNO₃: Here Oxidation number of N is HNO₃ = +5; But Maximum oxidation number of N = +5; Minimum oxidation number of N = -3 Since the oxidation number of N in HNO₃ is maximum (+5), therefore it can only decrease by accepting electrons. Hence HNO₃ acts only as an oxidizing agent. (ii) Nitrous Acid HNO₂: Here Oxidation number of N in HNO₂ = +3 Maximum oxidation number of N = +5; Minimum oxidation number of N = -3 Thus, the oxidation number of N can either increase by losing electrons or can decrease by accepting electrons. Therefore, HNO₂ acts both as an oxidizing as well as a reducing agent.

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

Answer»

(i) Nitric Acid HNO₃:

Here Oxidation number of N is HNO₃ = +5; But Maximum oxidation number of N = +5; Minimum oxidation number of N = -3 Since the oxidation number of N in HNO₃ is maximum (+5),

therefore it can only decrease by accepting electrons. Hence HNO₃ acts only as an oxidizing agent.

(ii) Nitrous Acid HNO₂:

Here Oxidation number of N in HNO₂ = +3 Maximum oxidation number of N = +5; Minimum oxidation number of N = -3 Thus, the oxidation number of N can either increase by losing electrons or can decrease by accepting electrons.

Therefore, HNO₂ acts both as an oxidizing as well as a reducing agent.

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