Making fuming nitric acid

TL;DR

Fuming nitric acid is a highly concentrated form of nitric acid with unique properties, including being an extremely strong oxidizer. It can react violently with certain materials and should be handled with caution.

Transcript

in the lab the most common form of nitric acid has a concentration of about 68% where the rest of it is water it generally works well for most reactions and it's what I've used in pretty much all my videos where I needed nitric acid for some more specialized uses though like as an oxidizer in liquid-fueled rockets or to make certain high explosives... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Fuming nitric acid is a highly concentrated form of nitric acid, needed for specialized applications like rocket propulsion and high explosives.
• 💪 Fuming nitric acid is an extremely strong oxidizer and can react violently with certain materials, including common lab gloves.
• 🥡 Skin contact with fuming nitric acid should be avoided, and proper safety precautions, such as working barehanded or using chemically resistant gloves, should be taken.
• 🥊 Nitrile gloves are better than latex gloves when handling fuming nitric acid, as they react quicker and are easier to remove if acid comes into contact with them.
• 💛 Fuming nitric acid can cause yellow staining and superficial damage to the skin, but the damage is limited to the outer layer and can be washed off.
• ❤️‍🔥 Fuming nitric acid can significantly increase the intensity of a fire when combined with liquid fuels, making it useful for rocket propulsion.
• 🈸 Considerations should be made for the purity and concentration of fuming nitric acid when using it for specific applications.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between regular nitric acid and fuming nitric acid?

Regular nitric acid has a concentration of about 68%, while fuming nitric acid is a higher concentration needed for specialized applications like liquid-fueled rockets or high explosives.

Q: Can fuming nitric acid set gloves on fire?

Yes, fuming nitric acid is an extremely strong oxidizer and can ignite common lab gloves. It is recommended to work barehanded or use gloves that are chemically resistant.

Q: What happens if fuming nitric acid comes into contact with the skin?

Fuming nitric acid reacts with the keratin protein in the skin, causing yellow staining and superficial damage. It should be washed off immediately to prevent further damage.

Q: How does fuming nitric acid act as an oxidant for liquid fuels?

Fuming nitric acid can increase the intensity of a fire when combined with liquid fuels like kerosene. It is commonly used in rocket propulsion.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nitric acid is commonly used in the lab with a concentration of around 68%, but for specialized uses, a higher concentration called fuming nitric acid is needed.

• Fuming nitric acid is an extremely strong oxidizer and can set common lab gloves on fire. It is recommended to work barehanded or with chemically resistant gloves.

• The author conducted experiments to test the effects of fuming nitric acid on skin, gloves, and as an oxidant for liquid fuels. Skin contact should be avoided, and nitrile gloves are better than latex gloves when handling fuming nitric acid.