Please explain simply how we say nitric acid works as an oxidizing agent?? How. Thanks a lot.

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Answer 1 · 2017-10-01T10:53:42

Because nitrogen is reduced to #NO_2(g)# or #NO(g)#.....

We got #HNO_3(aq)#, i.e. #N(+V)#. It is commonly reduced to #NO_2#, i.e. #N(+IV)#:

#NO_3^(-) +2H^(+) + e^(-) rarr NO_2(g) +H_2O(l)#

Or it is reduced to #NO#, #N(+II)#:

#NO_3^(-) +4H^(+) + 3e^(-) rarr NO(g) +2H_2O(l)#

In each case, mass and charge are CONSERVED, as is absolutely required.

For every reduction, electron gain, there is a corresponding electron loss, i.e. oxidation....and usually a metal is the electron source....

#M(s) rarr M^(2+) + 2e^(-)#