Question

Reaction of nitric acid and zinc.

Hint:

Conc. HNO\(_3\) acts as oxidiser, dilute HNO\(_3\) acts more like a normal acid.

Answer 1

Step 1: Nature of reaction.
Nitric acid oxidises zinc to zinc nitrate, liberating nitrogen oxides.
Step 2: Reaction.
With conc. HNO\(_3\): \[ Zn + 4 HNO_3 \rightarrow Zn(NO_3)_2 + 2 NO_2 + 2 H_2O \] With dilute HNO\(_3\): \[ Zn + 2 HNO_3 \rightarrow Zn(NO_3)_2 + H_2 \] Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, nitric acid reacts with zinc producing zinc nitrate and nitrogen oxides (or H\(_2\) with dilute acid).