Question

multiple choice 10 points
which of the following is the correct formula for the following name: nitric acid
h₃n
h₃no₃
hno₂
hno₃

Explanation:

Nitric acid is a common inorganic acid. The naming of acids: for oxy - acids, if the acid is named with the suffix “-ic”, the corresponding anion (nitrate ion, \(NO_{3}^{-}\)) has one more oxygen atom than the anion of the “-ous” acid (nitrite ion, \(NO_{2}^{-}\)). In the formula of an acid, the hydrogen ion (\(H^{+}\)) combines with the anion. Since the nitrate ion is \(NO_{3}^{-}\), and the charge of \(H^{+}\) is \(+ 1\) and the charge of \(NO_{3}^{-}\) is \(-1\), the formula of nitric acid is \(HNO_{3}\). \(H_{3}N\) is ammonia (\(NH_{3}\) in another writing form), \(H_{3}NO_{3}\) is an incorrect formula as the combination of ions does not follow the charge - balance rule, and \(HNO_{2}\) is nitrous acid (corresponding to nitrite ion \(NO_{2}^{-}\)).

Answer:

\(HNO_{3}\) (the fourth option)