Nitric acid has the chemical formula HNO₃. At standard temperature and pressure it is a colorless, corrosive liquid and it decomposes at a temperature of 181°F (83°C). If nitric acid is not pure it is generally colored due to the presence of nitrogen dioxide dissolved in the liquid. The decomposition of nitric acid into nitrogen, water, and oxygen is a naturally occurring reaction which is catalyzed by light.

Nitric acid is produced industrially by the oxidation of ammonia over a platinum catalyst at a high temperature. The resultant gas is then dissolved in water to give nitric acid. Nitric acid is completely ionized in solution and as such it is a strong acid and an efficient oxidizing reagent. Nitric acid is sufficiently strong as an oxidizing agent to be able to oxidize sulfur and phosphorus directly to sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid.Carbon is...