Read the following passage and answer the questions.Sohan went door t...
Aqua regia is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, that is 3 part conc. HCl and one part conc. HNO3 (3: 1).
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Read the following passage and answer the questions.Sohan went door t...
Composition of Aqua Regia
Aqua regia is a highly corrosive mixture of acids that is commonly used to dissolve gold and platinum. It is a combination of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) and concentrated nitric acid (HNO3). The correct composition of aqua regia is option 'C' - concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid in a ratio of 3:1.
Explanation:
To understand why option 'C' is the correct composition of aqua regia, let's analyze the passage and the properties of the acids involved.
Passage Analysis:
1. Sohan went door to door posing as a goldsmith.
2. He promised to bring back the glitter of old and dull gold ornaments.
3. An unsuspecting lady gave a set of gold bangles to him.
4. He dipped the bangles in a particular solution.
5. The bangles sparkled like new but their weight was reduced drastically.
6. The lady was sad and argued with Sohan.
7. Sohan beat a hasty retreat.
Properties of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl):
- Concentrated hydrochloric acid is a strong acid with a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-).
- It is known for its ability to dissolve metals, including gold.
- It is a corrosive liquid and can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
Properties of Nitric Acid (HNO3):
- Concentrated nitric acid is also a strong acid with a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).
- It is highly reactive and can oxidize many metals, including gold.
- It is a corrosive liquid and can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
Aqua Regia:
Aqua regia is formed by mixing concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid in a specific ratio. The presence of both acids in the mixture creates a highly corrosive and powerful solvent for noble metals like gold and platinum.
The passage mentions that Sohan used a particular solution to clean the gold bangles. This solution is likely to be aqua regia, given its ability to restore the glitter of old and dull gold ornaments. Aqua regia is known for its ability to dissolve and remove impurities from gold, making it shine like new.
The fact that the bangles sparkled like new but their weight was reduced drastically suggests that the gold in the bangles was dissolved by the aqua regia. Gold is a dense metal, and a significant reduction in weight indicates that a chemical process has taken place.
Considering the properties of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, it is clear that both acids are required in concentrated form to create a powerful solvent like aqua regia. Therefore, the correct composition of aqua regia is option 'C' - concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid in a ratio of 3:1.
In conclusion, aqua regia is a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid. It is a highly corrosive solution used for dissolving gold and platinum. The correct composition of aqua regia is 3 parts concentrated hydrochloric acid to 1 part concentrated nitric acid.
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