International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

Nitric acid is classified as an inorganic acid. Inorganic acids are typically composed of minerals or synthetic chemical compounds rather than carbon-based molecules. Nitric acid, with the chemical formula HNO₃, is a strong acid produced through the oxidation of nitrogen oxides and is widely used in various industrial processes and laboratories.

Recognizing that nitric acid is not categorized as an organic acid is important; organic acids contain carbon and typically have a carbon-based structure. Additionally, nitric acid is considered a strong acid due to its ability to completely dissociate in water, which differentiates it from weak acids that do not fully ionize. Since nitric acid is not a base, its classification as an inorganic acid aligns precisely with its chemical nature and properties.