NITROUS ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Nitrous acid is a chemical compound with the formula HNO2. It is a weak and unstable acid that exists primarily in solution or as a gas. Nitrous acid is commonly found as a yellowish, unstable liquid, which tends to decompose in a short amount of time. Due to its instability, it is typically prepared as required and used immediately.
In terms of its chemical composition, nitrous acid consists of a hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, which in turn is bonded to two oxygen atoms. It can be prepared through the reaction of sodium nitrite with dilute hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
Nitrous acid is often used in various industrial applications. It is an important intermediate in the production of dyes and pharmaceuticals, as well as in the synthesis of other important chemicals. It is also utilized as a reagent in laboratory settings for various chemical reactions.
Nitrous acid is a relatively weak acid, meaning it does not readily donate its hydrogen ion in aqueous solutions. It is primarily used as an oxidizing agent or a precursor to other chemicals. Its unstable nature and reactivity make it potentially hazardous, requiring careful handling.
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A compound of nitrogen and oxygen.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NITROUS ACID
- bitrous acid
- mitrous acid
- jitrous acid
- hitrous acid
- nutrous acid
- njtrous acid
- nktrous acid
- notrous acid
- n9trous acid
- n8trous acid
- nirrous acid
- nifrous acid
- nigrous acid
- niyrous acid
- ni6rous acid
- ni5rous acid
- niteous acid
- nitdous acid
- nitfous acid
Etymology of NITROUS ACID
The word "nitrous acid" comes from the combination of two root words: "nitrous" and "acid".
The term "nitrous" originates from the Latin word "nitrosus", meaning "full of natron" or "salty". Natron was a naturally occurring mineral deposit in ancient times that contained sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, and "nitrous" was used to describe substances that shared some properties with natron.
The word "acid" has its roots in the Latin word "acidus", which means "sour". In ancient times, the term "acid" was primarily used to refer to substances that had a sour taste.
So, when these two words are combined, "nitrous acid" refers to a compound that is both "salty" or "natron-like" and "sour" in taste.
Similar spelling words for NITROUS ACID
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