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How to Make a Substitute for Nitric Acid

Nitric acid is highly corrosive to organic and inorganic materials and must be handled with care. It is an oxidizing agent that reacts violently with alcohols, acetone and other chemicals and is commonly used in acid tests involving metals. The acid and the vapors irritate and burn the skin, and ingestion of more than 2 tsp. can be fatal in humans. A safer substitute for nitric acid is a mixture of hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid known as aqua regia.

Things You'll Need

Protective gloves
Protective goggles
Protective mask
Exhaust hood
1 ½ cups concentrated hydrochloric acid
1 pt. heat-resistant glass beaker
1/2 cup concentrated sulfuric acid
Glass stirrer
Stove or portable burner

Instructions

- 1
  Put on protective gloves, goggles and mask. Remove all animals and small children from the work area.
- 2
  Turn on an exhaust hood and place all materials under it. If you do not have an exhaust hood, conduct this experiment outside.
- 3
  Pour 1 1/2 cups of concentrated hydrochloric acid into the beaker. Pour 1/2 cup of concentrated sulfuric acid into the beaker.
- 4
  Mix the solution with a glass stirrer. Place the heat-resistant beaker on the stove or portable burner.
- 5
  Heat the solution to a simmer. Insert gold or other precious metals into the solution to dissolve them.

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