Will iron plus nitric acid equals?

Answer 1

Products of Iron (Fe) reacting with Nitric Acid(HNO3) depends on temperature of reactants as well as concentration of HNO3.

With dilute HNO3 Iron gives Ferrous Nitrate [Fe(NO3)2], water and Nitric oxide(NO).

3Fe + 8HNO3 --> 3Fe(NO3)2 + 4H2O + 2NO

With concentrated HNO3 iron gives Ferric nitrate [Fe(NO3)3], water and Nitrogen dioxide(NO2).

Fe + 6HNO3 --> Fe(NO3)3 +3H2O + 3NO2

Reaction of iron with concentrated Nitric acid Renders it passive to further reaction due to formation of thin oxide layer on the surface. In all these Reactions Nitric acid acts as an oxidising agent.

Answer 2

Iron does react with nitric acid to form iron(III) nitrate, water, and nitric oxide gas. This reaction is typically vigorous and exothermic due to the formation of NO gas. It's important to handle nitric acid with caution as it is a corrosive and toxic material.