Chapter 21, Problem 69QAP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for the yellow color of the concentrated nitric acid needs to be explained. The pure nitric acid is colorless.

Concept introduction:

The decomposition of concentrated ${\text{HNO}}_{\text{3}}$ is shown as follows:

${\text{4HNO}}_{\text{3}}\left(\text{aq}\right)\to 4{\text{NO}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)+{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)+2{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right)$

It results in the release of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gas.