Question

In water, HNO3 produces H+ ions. Which is the name for HNO3 in an aqueous solution?

Answer 1

Nitric acid is the chemical name for HNO3(aq). The compound is composed of hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. 

Answer 2

Answer: It is named as nitric acid in aqueous solution.

Explanation:

$HNO_3$ is an acid because it releases hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. The chemical equation for the ionization of $HNO_3$ follows:

$HNO_3(aq.)\rightarrow H^+(aq.)+NO_3^-(aq.)$

When an element is present in the higher oxidation state in a compound, a suffix '-ic' is added at the end.

When an element is present in the lowest oxidation state in a compound, a suffix '-ous' is added at the end.

Nitrogen shows oxidation state of +5 and +3. In the given compound, nitrogen is present in +5 oxidation state. Thus, in the naming of the compound, a suffix '-ic' is added.

Hence, the given compound is named as nitric acid in aqueous solution.