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JAMB Chemistry 1981 Question 16

Question 16

Redox Reactions

In the reaction C + 2HNO3 → CO2 + NO2 + NO + H2O nitric acid is acting as

  1. A.a reducing agent
  2. B.a nitrating agent
  3. C.an oxidizing agent
  4. D.a catalytic agent
  5. E.a neutralizing agent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (an oxidizing agent)

Explanation

Carbon goes from 0 to +4 (oxidised) while nitrogen goes from +5 to +4 and +2 (reduced), so nitric acid is the oxidizing agent.