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Nitric acid acts as an oxidising agent w...

Nitric acid acts as an oxidising agent while nitrous acid can act both as an oxidising as well as reducing agent ?

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In `HNO_3`, oxidation state of `N` is `+ 5`, which is the highest oxidation state `N` can have. Hence, `HNO_3` can act as an oxidising agent. In `HNO_2`, oxidation state of `N` is `+ 3`. Thus it can be reduced or oxidised. Hence, `NHO_2` can act both as an oxidising and a reducing agent.
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CENGAGE CHEMISTRY-P-BLOCK GROUP 15 ELEMENTS - THE NITROGEN FAMILY-Concept Application Exercises 2.1 (Subjective)
  1. Why nitrogen is inert at room temperature ?

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  2. Why BiH3 is strongest reducing agent amongst group 15 hydrides ?

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  3. Why nitrogen trihalide cannot be oxidised to pentahalide whereas phosp...

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  4. NO is paramagnetic, while NO^(oplus) is diamagnetic.

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  5. Which of the following acts as reducing agent and why ? H3 PO3 or H3 P...

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  6. Nitrogen is a gas, while other members of group 15 are solids. Why ?

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  7. Why commercial HNO3 is generally yellow in colour ?

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  8. Nitric acid acts as an oxidising agent while nitrous acid can act both...

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  9. Which is more basic and why ? NF3 or NH3.

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  10. What is the chemistry of Holme's signal ?

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  11. Write complete balanced reactions for the following : (a) Red phosph...

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  12. Describe the action of heat on the following compounds : (a) Ammoniu...

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  13. Concentrated nitric acid can be stored in aluminium container. Give re...

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  14. Why calcuim cyanamide can be used as a fertiliser ?

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  15. Describe being odd electron molecule, NO is colourless. Explain.

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  16. Give reason : Urea is better nitrogenous fertiliser than ammonium sulp...

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  17. Mg3 N2 on reaction with water gives off NH3, but MgCl2 on reaction wit...

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  18. Oxides of nitrogen have open chain structures while those of phosphoro...

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  19. Illustrate, how copper gives different products on reaction with HNO3.

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  20. Give the names of formulae of the compounds described below : (a) A ...

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