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

Explanation

(i) `HNO_(3)`: Oxidation number of N is `HMO_(32)=+5`
Maximum oxidation mnumber of N=+5 Minimum oxidation number of N =-3
Since the oxidation number of N in `HNO_(3)` is maximum (+5) therefore it can only decrease by acceptin electrons hence `HNO_(3)` acts only as an oxidising agent
(ii) `HNO_(2)=+3`
Maximum oxidation number of N = +5 Minimum oxidation number of N=-3
Thus the oxidation number of N cna tiher increase by losin elctons of can decrease its O.N by accepting electons therefoer `HNO_(2)` acts both as an oxidsig as well as a reducing agent