Nitric acid being a strong oxidizing agent is used in the preparation of hydrogen.

Answer

To determine whether the statement "Nitric acid being a strong oxidizing agent is used in the preparation of hydrogen" is true or false, we can analyze the properties of nitric acid and its reactions.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Oxidizing Agents**:
- An oxidizing agent is a substance that can accept electrons from another substance, causing the other substance to be oxidized while it gets reduced itself.

**Hint**: Remember that oxidizing agents facilitate the oxidation of other substances.

2. **Properties of Nitric Acid**:
- Nitric acid (HNO₃) is known to be a strong oxidizing agent. This means it has a strong tendency to oxidize other substances.

**Hint**: Strong oxidizing agents can lead to significant reactions, often producing different products than expected.

3. **Reaction of Zinc with Nitric Acid**:
- When zinc (Zn) reacts with nitric acid, the expected reaction would produce hydrogen gas (H₂) and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO₃)₂).
- However, because nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent, it does not just stop at producing hydrogen. Instead, it further oxidizes the hydrogen produced.

**Hint**: Consider what happens to the products of a reaction when a strong oxidizing agent is present.

4. **Formation of Water Instead of Hydrogen**:
- In the presence of nitric acid, the hydrogen produced is oxidized to form water (H₂O). This means that instead of collecting hydrogen gas, we end up with water.

**Hint**: Look at the overall reaction to see what products are actually formed.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Since nitric acid causes the oxidation of hydrogen to water, it cannot be used to prepare hydrogen gas. Therefore, the statement is false.

**Hint**: Summarize your findings to clearly state whether the original statement is true or false.

### Final Answer:
The statement "Nitric acid being a strong oxidizing agent is used in the preparation of hydrogen" is **false**.