1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Chemistry
  4. Statement 1: HNO 3 acts only as an oxidizing agents, while HNO 2 acts both as an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent Statement 2: The oxidation number of N in HNO 3 is maximum

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Q. Statement 1: $HNO _3$ acts only as an oxidizing agents, while $HNO _2$ acts both as an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent
Statement 2: The oxidation number of $N$ in $HNO _3$ is maximum

Redox Reactions

Solution:

Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation for (A) since the oxidation number of $N$ in $HNO _3$ is maximum (+5): therefore, it can only decrease. Hence, $HNO _3$ acts as an oxidising agent
In $HNO _2$, the 0xidation number of $N$ is $+3$, so it can increase by losing electrons or can decrease by accepting electrons. Therefore, $HNO _2$ acts both as an oxidizing as well as reducing agent