Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid

NaOH + HNO3 → NaNO3 + H2O

Overview

Sodium hydroxide neutralizes nitric acid to form sodium nitrate and water. This strong acid-strong base reaction produces a neutral solution with the standard heat of neutralization. Sodium nitrate is a useful oxidizing salt.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 1 (aq)
Reactant Nitric Acid HNO₃ 1 (aq)
Product Sodium Nitrate NaNO₃ 1 (aq)
Product Water H₂O 1 (l)

Everyday Example

Sodium nitrate was historically known as Chile saltpeter and used as a fertilizer and food preservative.

Industrial Importance

Sodium nitrate is used in fertilizers, food preservation, as a heat transfer medium in solar power plants, and in the production of nitric acid and explosives.

Properties

Type
Double Replacement
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-57.1 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid (White Smoke) Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate Precipitation Calcium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate Calcium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide (Limewater Test) Calcium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid Copper(II) Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide Iron(III) Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide (Golden Rain)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid?
The balanced equation is: NaOH + HNO₃ → NaNO₃ + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid?
Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid is a double replacement reaction.
Is Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid exothermic or endothermic?
Sodium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -57.1 kJ/mol.