*Nitric Acid* = *HNO3*
It’s one of the most important and strong acids used in industry.
# *1. Basic Facts*
**Property** **Details**
**Chemical Formula** HNO3
**Other Names** Aqua fortis, Spirit of niter
**Appearance** Colorless to yellowish liquid. Pure one is colorless
**Smell** Sharp, choking smell
**Taste** Don’t taste it - it’s corrosive and dangerous
# *2. How It’s Made*
Industrial method = *Ostwald Process*
Ammonia + Oxygen → Nitric Acid
In lab: Sodium nitrate + Sulfuric acid → Nitric Acid
# *3. Common Uses*
1. *Fertilizers* - 80% of nitric acid goes into making ammonium nitrate fertilizer
2. *Explosives* - Used to make TNT, nitroglycerin, ammonium nitrate
3. *Metals* - Cleaning metals, etching, making stainless steel
4. *Plastics & Dyes* - Nylon, polyurethane, synthetic