What is the correct name for the acid with the formula HNO3?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the polyatomic ion present in the acid formula. In HNO3, the polyatomic ion is NO3, which is called nitrate.
2. Recall the naming convention for acids containing oxygen: if the polyatomic ion ends with '-ate', the acid name ends with '-ic'. If it ends with '-ite', the acid name ends with '-ous'.
3. Since NO3 is nitrate (ends with '-ate'), the acid formed with hydrogen is named by replacing '-ate' with '-ic' and adding 'acid'.
4. Therefore, HNO3 is named nitric acid.
5. Verify that the other options do not follow the correct naming rules: 'Nitrous acid' corresponds to HNO2 (nitrite), 'Nitrate acid' is not a proper name, and 'Hydronitric acid' is not a standard name.