5 Pb (s) + 12 HNO3 (aq) → N2 (g) + 5 Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 6 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
5 Pb0 - 10 e- → 5 PbII (oxidation)
2 NV + 10 e- → 2 N0 (reduction)
Pb is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Pb
- 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.]
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