Question

Name the products formed when concentrated nitric acid is treated with tin. Give the balanced equation.

Answer 1

When metallic tin (Sn) is treated with hot concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃), it is oxidised to form the following three products:

1. Metastannic acid (H₂SnO₃, also referred to as hydrated stannic oxide)
2. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) gas
3. Water (H₂O)

Balanced Chemical Equation:

\[\ce{Sn + 4HNO3 (conc.) -> H2SnO3 + 4NO2 ^ + 2H2O}\]