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

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula given: HNO3.
2. Recognize that HNO3 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 NO3^- is called nitrate, so the acid formed with H+ and NO3^- is named 'nitric acid'.
5. Confirm that the other options do not follow the correct naming conventions: 'Nitrous acid' corresponds to HNO2, and 'Hydronitric acid' is not a standard name.