Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong, highly corrosive acid that is commonly used in various industrial and laboratory applications. It is a colorless, fuming liquid that has a distinct, pungent odor due to the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which forms when the acid is exposed to air. Nitric acid is a key component in the production of fertilizers, particularly ammonium nitrate, which is widely used in agriculture. It is also crucial in the manufacturing of explosives, dyes, and other chemicals, as well as in metal processing, where it is used to dissolve metals like copper and silver.