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Explain the reaction of metals with nitric acid.

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The reactions of metals with nitric acid are explained in 3 steps as follows: 

Primary reaction: 

Metal nitrate is formed with the release of nascent hydrogen 

M + HNO3 → MNO3 + (H) 

Secondary reaction: 

Nascent hydrogen produces the reduction products of nitric acid.

Tertiary reaction: 

The secondary products either decompose or react to give final products

For examples: 

Copper reacts with nitric acid in the following manner 

3Cu + 6HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 6(H)

6(H) + 3HNO3 → 3HNO2 + 3H2

3HNO2 → HNO3 + 2NO + H2

Overall reaction 

3Cu + 8HNO3 → 3CU(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2

The concentrated acid has a tendency to form nitrogen dioxide 

Cu + 4HNO3 → 3CU(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O

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