During nitratio of benzene using a mixture of conc. `HNO_(3)` and conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)`, function of conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)` is to increase the rate of reaction by increasing the concentration of `NO_(2)^(+)` according to following reaction.
`HNO_(3)+H_(2)SO_(4) rarr NO_(2)^(+)+HSO_(4)^(-)+H_(2)O`
Here nitric acid acts as

Options

A. a stronger acid
B. a weaker acid
C. a base
D. none of the these

Answer

C

Explanation