Chemistry Question: Nitric Acid Solution Composition

Determine the particles present in a solution of nitric acid and whether it is a strong or weak acid.

Answer:

In a solution of nitric acid, there are no intact nitric acid molecules; only hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).

The correct option is:

a) no nitric acid molecules, only hydronium ions and nitrate ions

Explanation:

Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid, which means it ionizes almost completely when dissolved in water. This ionization process results in the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-), without leaving intact nitric acid molecules in the solution.

The chemical reaction for the dissociation of nitric acid in water is:

HNO3 + H2O → H3O+ + NO3-

As a strong acid, nitric acid donates a proton (H+) to water, leading to the production of hydronium ions (H3O+), while nitrate ions (NO3-) remain as anions in the solution.

This nearly complete dissociation of nitric acid is a characteristic of strong acids, unlike weak acids that only partially ionize in water, resulting in a mixture of intact acid molecules and their ions.

Therefore, the correct option indicating that in a solution of nitric acid, there are no intact nitric acid molecules, only hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-) is option (a).

For further understanding of nitric acid and its properties, you can refer to reliable educational resources.