5 C (s) + 4 HNO3 (aq) → 2 N2 (g) + 5 CO2 (g) + 2 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
5 C0 - 20 e- → 5 CIV (oxidation)
4 NV + 20 e- → 4 N0 (reduction)
C is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- C
- 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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