4 Zn (s) + 2 HNO3 (aq) + 4 H2SO4 (aq) → 4 ZnSO4 (aq) + N2O (g) + 5 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
4 Zn0 - 8 e- → 4 ZnII (oxidation)
2 NV + 8 e- → 2 NI (reduction)
Zn is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Zn
- HNO3 – Nitric acid
- Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte
- Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]
- H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid
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