Azeotropic mixture of water (B.P. = 100°C) and nitric acid (B P = 83°C) boils at 393 5 K During fractional distillation of mixture, it is possible to obtain

Options

A. Neither `HNO_3` nor `H_2O`
B. Pure`HNO_3`
C. Pure `H_2O`
D. Both HNO3 and H2O in pure state

Answer

To solve the problem regarding the fractional distillation of an azeotropic mixture of water and nitric acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Azeotropes
An azeotropic mixture is a mixture of two or more liquids that has a constant boiling point and composition throughout the distillation process. In this case, we have an azeotropic mixture of water and nitric acid.

**Hint:** Remember that azeotropes behave like pure substances during boiling and cannot be separated by simple distillation.

### Step 2: Identify the Boiling Points
- The boiling point of water is 100°C (373 K).
- The boiling point of nitric acid is 83°C (356 K).
- The boiling point of the azeotropic mixture is given as 393.5 K (which is approximately 120.5°C).

**Hint:** Compare the boiling points of the components and the azeotropic mixture to understand the separation process.

### Step 3: Analyze the Azeotropic Behavior
Since the azeotropic mixture boils at a temperature higher than the boiling points of both components, it indicates that the mixture has a specific composition that results in this boiling point.

**Hint:** Azeotropes often form when the interactions between the components are stronger than the interactions within the pure components.

### Step 4: Determine What Can Be Obtained from Fractional Distillation
During fractional distillation, it is possible to separate components based on their boiling points. However, since we have an azeotropic mixture, we cannot completely separate the two components into pure substances. Instead, we can only obtain the azeotropic mixture itself.

**Hint:** Remember that fractional distillation can separate components with different boiling points, but azeotropes complicate this process.

### Step 5: Conclusion
From the fractional distillation of the azeotropic mixture of water and nitric acid, we can obtain the azeotropic mixture itself, which retains the same composition and boiling point.

**Final Answer:** During fractional distillation of the mixture, it is possible to obtain the azeotropic mixture of water and nitric acid.