Answer to Question #87874 in Inorganic Chemistry for Zamandosi

Question

Which element in nitric acid is reduced making it the oxidizing agent

Answer 1

Answer: Nitrogen(N).

Nitrogen in HNO₃ is in +5 oxidation state which is the highest oxidation state of nitrogen that means nitrogen can not get oxidised but it can reduce to the lower oxidation state(reduction) and oxidize oher molecules or atoms.