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Explain why HNO(3) acts only as oxidisin...

Explain why `HNO_(3)` acts only as oxidising agent while `HNO_(2)` can act both as a reducing agent and an oxiding agent?

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Nitrogen can have oxidation number from -3 to +5. The oxidation number of nitrogen in `HNO_(3)` is +5. Thus, increase in oxidation number beyond +5 cannot occur. Hence, `HNO_(3)` cannot act as reducing agent. The oxidation number of nitrogen in `HNO_(3)` can only decreasel thus it acts as an oxidising agent. In `HNO_(3)` the oxidation number of nitrogen is +3. Thus, it can increase or decrease within the range -3 to +5. Hence it can act as an oxidising as well as reducing agent.
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