2 H2O (l) + 5 O2 (g) + 2 N2 (g) → 4 HNO3 (aq)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
4 N0 - 20 e- → 4 NV (oxidation)
10 O0 + 20 e- → 10 O-II (reduction)
N2 is a reducing agent, O2 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
Products:
- 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.]