Nitric acid produces nitrate salts.
When nitric acid ($HNO_3$) reacts with bases, metals, or metal oxides, it forms salts. As specified in the reference, nitric acid consistently yields a particular type of salt: nitrate salts.
Understanding Nitrate Salts
A nitrate salt is a chemical compound containing the nitrate ion ($NO_3^-$). This ion is formed when the hydrogen atom in nitric acid is replaced by a metal ion or an ammonium ion.
The general reaction involves nitric acid reacting with a base (like a metal hydroxide) to produce a nitrate salt and water:
Base + Nitric Acid $\rightarrow$ Nitrate Salt + Water
Example: Potassium Hydroxide + Nitric Acid $\rightarrow$ Potassium Nitrate + Water
$KOH + HNO_3 \rightarrow KNO_3 + H_2O$
Properties of Nitrate Salts
Most common nitrate salts share some key characteristics:
- Solubility: The majority of nitrate salts are highly soluble in water. This property makes them useful in various applications.
- Applications: Nitrate salts are widely used in fertilizers, explosives, pyrotechnics, and various chemical processes.
Common Examples of Nitrate Salts
Here are a few well-known examples of salts formed from nitric acid:
- Potassium Nitrate ($KNO_3$): Used in fertilizers, fireworks, and as a food preservative.
- Sodium Nitrate ($NaNO_3$): Found in fertilizers and explosives, historically known as Chile saltpeter.
- Calcium Nitrate ($Ca(NO_3)_2$): Primarily used as a fertilizer.
- Ammonium Nitrate ($NH_4NO_3$): A major component of fertilizers and explosives.
- Silver Nitrate ($AgNO_3$): Used in photography and as an antiseptic.
Table of Examples
| Nitrate Salt | Chemical Formula | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium Nitrate | $KNO_3$ | Fertilizer, Pyrotechnics |
| Sodium Nitrate | $NaNO_3$ | Fertilizer, Explosives |
| Calcium Nitrate | $Ca(NO_3)_2$ | Fertilizer |
| Ammonium Nitrate | $NH_4NO_3$ | Fertilizer, Explosives |
| Silver Nitrate | $AgNO_3$ | Photography, Antiseptic |
In summary, regardless of the specific substance it reacts with (as long as it forms a salt), nitric acid is the source of the nitrate ion, defining the resulting salt as a nitrate salt.
