What is nitric acid used for?

What is nitric acid used for?

Nitric acid is used for the production of ammonium nitrate, a major component of fertilizers. It is also used for producing explosives like nitroglycerin and trinitrotoluene (TNT) and for oxidizing metals.

Is nitric acid corrosive?

Overview. Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a colorless liquid with yellow or red fumes with an acrid odor. Exposure to nitric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and mucous membrane; it can also cause delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, and dental erosion. Nitric acid is highly corrosive.

What are the two main uses of nitric acid?

Applications. Nitric acid is used in the production of ammonium nitrate for fertilizers, making plastics, and in the manufacture of dyes. It is also used for making explosives such as nitroglycerin and TNT.

Is nitric acid harmful to skin?

Dermal exposures: Nitric acid is corrosive to the skin, producing severe burns, ulceration, scarring, dermatitis and yellow staining of the skin.

How bad is nitric acid?

Nitric acid is an extremely corrosive acid capable of causing severe chemical burns very rapidly. If nitric acid mists are inhaled, health risks include corrosion of mucous membranes, delayed pulmonary edema, and even death. Contact with eyes can cause permanent cornea damage.

Is nitric acid a carcinogen?

Long term inhalation exposures to nitric acid can cause chronic respiratory irritation, which may result in chronic bronchitis and airways hyper-reactivity [1]. In a 2012 evaluation IARC classified strong inorganic acid mists as carcinogenic to humans (group 1).

What is the percent composition for nitric acid?

The molar mass of nitric acid = 1 + 14 + 3(16) = 1 + 14 + 48 = 63. So, the mass percentage of hydrogen is 1.58%, nitrogen is 22.22%, and oxygen is 76.19%.

Which fruit contains nitric acid?

Similarly to garlic, citrus fruits seem to help your body make the most of the nitric oxide it can already produce. Consuming citrus fruits boosts the amount of vitamin C in your body, which in turn improves your ability to absorb and react to nitric oxide.