Question

Which of the following nitrogen compounds is known as the spirit of niter?
(A) Nitrous acid
(B) Nitric acid
(C) Nitrosylazide
(D) Nitrous oxide

Answer 1

Hint : The compound is also known as ‘Aqua Fortis’. The acid is highly corrosive in nature. It is known that in pure form it is a complete colourless gas but with the time as it gets more and more old, the acid’s colour starts changing into light yellow.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
So, as through the hint portion we are aware of the some properties of the acid. And most importantly its other name is given i.e. ‘Aqua Fortis.
So, for sure, this acid is Nitric acid, which is also known as' spirit of niter.
This acid commercially is available in the $68\%$ concentrated form.
As we learnt earlier that when the acid gets old its colour starts changing to yellow cast, so this is because of the decomposition of the acid into the oxides of nitrogen and water.
The chemical formula of the nitric acid is $HN{O_3}$ .
Nitric acid is an excellent oxidizing agent and reacts readily with several metals.
Nitric acid has found several uses in the industries like-
Nitric acid helps in the formation of ammonium nitrate which is the major component of the nitrogen fertilizers, nitric acid is also one of the important components for the production of explosives like TNT and nitro-glycerine,
Nitric acid has also found its use in the production of Azeotropes.
Therefore the correct option is B i.e. Nitric acid.

Note :
As we already know that nitric acid is highly corrosive in nature. So, it is dangerous to the living beings. Like it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. It also causes pneumonitis, bronchitis. It is also known to be dangerous for teeth.