Question detail
Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary. A student explains a redox change. Which option uses the safest chemistry wording? Focus on the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with in Reactions of acids with metals, not on a neighbouring Unit 4.4 reaction idea.
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. Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Links oxidation or reduction to the correct electron or oxygen change for the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with
- B. Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Uses reduction and displacement as if they mean the same thing (Reactions of acids with metals)
- C. Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Calls the reaction redox without naming what changes (the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with)
- D. Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Confuses oxidation state with ionic charge in the answer (Reactions of acids)
Answer
The correct option is Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Links oxidation or reduction to the correct electron or oxygen change for the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with.
Explanation
The correct option is Chemical changes case 026 redox-boundary: Links oxidation or reduction to the correct electron or oxygen change for the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with. It is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to predict the salt produced when nitric acid reacts with a metal in Reactions of acids with metals. The other options are incorrect because they blur a Unit 4.4 concept boundary: acid versus alkali versus base, oxidation versus reduction, displacement versus reduction, electrolysis versus electroplating, anode versus cathode, positive versus negative ions, oxidation state versus ionic charge, or strong acid versus concentrated acid.
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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