Question

HNO₃ is kept in reagent bottles because it is ______.

Options

• an oxidising agent

• a reducing agent

• hygroscopic in nature

• decomposed in the presence of light

Answer 1

HNO₃ is kept in reagent bottles because it is decomposed in the presence of light.

Explanation:

Nitric acid decomposes slowly when exposed to light, producing nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, and water. Therefore, it is stored in dark-coloured reagent bottles to protect it from light.