Question

The aqua fortis was the name given initially to:
A. HCl
B. \[HN{O_3}\]
C. \[N{H_3}\]
D. \[{H_2}S{O_4}\]

Answer 1

Hint: In Latin, Aqua means “Water” and Fortis means “Strong”. Thus, aqua fortis is Latin for strong water. Aqua fortis looks like water but is very corrosive.

Complete step by step answer:
Aqua fortis is a Latin word for strong water. Aqua fortis is the classical name for Nitric acid. The molecular formula of nitric acid is \[HN{O_3}\]. The name Aqua fortis is well justified for nitric acid as it looks like water but is capable of dissolving metals like silver (Ag) in it. It has the same viscosity as that of water. Aqua fortis is used in alchemy which serves as a solvent for dissolving silver and all other metals except gold (Au). Aqua fortis is a highly corrosive solution. The older samples of Aqua fortis tend to acquire yellow colour due to the decomposition of \[HN{O_3}\] into oxides of nitrogen and water. Most commercially available nitric acid has a concentration of 68% in water. When the solution contains more than 86% \[HN{O_3}\], it is referred to as fuming nitric acid.

Hence, the correct answer is (B).

Additional information:
Some of the uses of nitric acid are:
The main industrial use of nitric acid is for the production of fertilizers.
It is also used as an oxidant.
Nitric acid has also been used in various forms as the oxidizer in liquid-fuelled rockets.

Note: Do not confuse aqua fortis with aqua regia. Aqua regia is a 3:1 by volume mixture of HCl and \[HN{O_3}\] while aqua fortis is a solution of \[HN{O_3}\].