Question detail
If a metal reacts with nitric acid to give a salt and hydrogen gas, which metal is most likely involved?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Reactions of acids
Question
- A. Iron
- B. Copper
- C. Silver
- D. Gold
Answer
Iron
Explanation
Only less reactive metals such as iron react with dilute nitric acid to produce hydrogen gas; noble metals like copper, silver and gold do not.
Common mistake
Misidentifying the salt from nitric acid reactions
Students often think the salt formed is a nitrate of the metal’s oxidation state, e.g. writing Fe(NO3)3 for iron reacting with nitric acid, instead of the correct iron(III) nitrate Fe(NO3)3, or confusing with Fe(NO3)2
Remind that nitric acid is a strong acid that donates H+ and the metal gives up its positive ions; the salt is the metal nitrate with the metal’s actual oxidation state. For example, Fe + 3HNO3 → Fe(NO3)3 + 3/2 H2. Use the metal’s oxidation state to write the correct nitrate salt.
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