Question

What happens when red lead is treated with nitric acid?

Answer 1

Hint : With an atomic number of 82, lead is a periodic table element. Lead (Pb) has been used by humans for thousands of years, dating back to 7000 BC. The element is found in trace amounts in a variety of minerals, with the exception of sulphide and lead glance ( $PbS$ ), which is used to make the metal all over the world.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Nitric acid has the chemical formula $HN{O_3}$ and is a strong acid. It is also known as nature's spirit and aqua fortis. It is colourless in its purest form, but as it ages, it develops a yellow cast. The decomposition of nitric acid into nitrogen oxides and water produces this colour. It is extremely corrosive and poisonous. It causes severe burns on the skin. It forms nitrate salts when it reacts with hydroxides, metals, and oxides.
Red lead is made up of a variety of oxides. When red lead is treated with nitric acid, the following reaction occurs:
$P{b_3}{O_4} \to 2PbO + Pb{O_2}$
$PbO + 2HN{O_3} \to Pb{(N{O_3})_2} + {H_2}O] \times 2$
The overall reaction is:
$P{b_3}{O_4} + 4HN{O_3} \to 2Pb{(N{O_3})_2} + Pb{O_2} + 2{H_2}O$
The reaction of lead(II) oxide with concentrated nitric acid produces lead nitrate. $Pb{(N{O_3})_2}$ is the chemical formula for lead(II) nitrate, an inorganic compound. It is commonly found as a colourless crystal or white powder and is water soluble, unlike most other lead(II) salts. To avoid inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, lead(II) nitrate must be handled with caution. The limited applications of lead(II) nitrate are constantly scrutinised due to their hazardous nature.

Note :
Heating causes lead nitrate to decompose, a property that has been used in pyrotechnics. Water and dilute nitric acid are both soluble in it. Lead nitrate solutions can be used to make coordination complexes. Lead(II) is a hard acceptor, which means it forms stronger complexes with electron-donating ligands like nitrogen and oxygen.