Chemistry · Group 13 to Group 18 Elements

Which of the following reacts most slowly with nitric acid?

Which of the following reacts most slowly with nitric acid?

  • A. Phosphorus
  • B. Chlorine
  • C. sulphur
  • D. lodine

Step-by-step solution

Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. Phosphorus reacts vigorously to form phosphoric acid, sulfur reacts to form sulfuric acid, and iodine reacts to form iodic acid. Chlorine, however, has a higher standard reduction potential (1.36 V for Cl₂ to 2Cl⁻) than nitric acid (0.96 V for NO₃⁻ to NO), making nitric acid unable to oxidize chlorine under normal conditions. Therefore, chlorine reacts most slowly with nitric acid.
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