What is the correct name for the acid with the formula HNO_3?

• A. Nitrate acid
• B. Nitrous acid
• C. Nitric acid
• D. Hydronitric acid

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula given: HNO_3.
2. Recognize that HNO_3 is an oxyacid, meaning it contains hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (in this case, nitrogen).
3. Recall the naming rules for oxyacids: acids with the polyatomic ion ending in '-ate' are named with the suffix '-ic' followed by the word 'acid'.
4. Know that the polyatomic ion NO_3^- is called nitrate, so the acid formed with H and NO_3^- is named 'nitric acid'.
5. Confirm that 'nitric acid' is the correct name, distinguishing it from 'nitrous acid' which corresponds to HNO_2 (containing nitrite ion NO_2^-).