Question

What are balanced equation for `HNO_3` reacting with water and `HNO_2` reacting with water?

Answer 1

We examine the reaction:

`HX + H_2O rightleftharpoons H_3O^(+) + X^(-)`

Explanation:

For `"nitric acid"`, `X^(-)=NO_3^-`, for `"nitrous acid"`, `X^(-)=NO_2^(-)`.

The equilibrium LIES FARTHER to the right in the case of nitric acid (almost quantitativley so).

This site quotes a `K_a` value for `HNO_2` of `4xx10^-4`, which characterizes nitrous acid as a moderately weak acid.