This is an oxidation-reduction [redox] reaction:
4 Zn0 - 8 e- → 4 ZnII [oxidation]
NV + 8 e- → N-III [reduction]
Zn is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Zn
- Names: Zinc , Zinc powder [pyrophoric], ZnElement 30, 30Zn, Cinc, Zink, Zn[ii], Zn2+, Zincum, Blue powder, Merrillite
- Appearance: Grey-to-blue powder
- Names: Zinc
- HNO3 – Nitric acid
- Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter, Eau forteHydrogen nitrate, Acidum nitricum, Nitric acid [> 70% in water], Fuming nitric acid, Engravers acid, HONO2, Red fuming nitric acid, RFNA, White fuming nitric acid [WFNA]
- Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]
- Other names: Aqua fortis
Products:
- Zn[NO3]2 – Zinc nitrate
- Other names: Zinc dinitrate , Zinc[II] nitrate, Nitric acid, zinc salt
- Appearance: Colorless, deliquescent crystals ; Colourless crystals or powder
- Other names: Zinc dinitrate
- NH4NO3 – Ammonium nitrate
- Other names: Nitric acid, ammonium salt
- Appearance: White/grey solid ; Colourless-to-white hygroscopic solid in various forms
- Other names: Nitric acid, ammonium salt
- H2O – Water, oxidane
- Other names: Water [H2O] , Hydrogen hydroxide [HH or HOH], Hydrogen oxideDihydrogen monoxide [DHMO] [systematic name], Hydrogen monoxide, Dihydrogen oxide, Hydric acid, Hydrohydroxic acid, Hydroxic acid, Hydrol, Μ-oxido dihydrogen, Κ1-hydroxyl hydrogen[0]
- Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas
- Other names: Water [H2O]
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