Which of the following is the correct name for the acid with the formula HNO_3?

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

Answer: (B)

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 acid'.
4. Determine the polyatomic ion in HNO_3, which is nitrate (NO_3^-). Since the ion is nitrate, the acid name becomes 'nitric acid'.
5. Confirm that 'nitric acid' is the correct name, while 'nitrous acid' corresponds to HNO_2, and the other options are incorrect or not standard names.