The Process of Converting Phosphorus to Phosphoric Acid

What acid is responsible for converting phosphorus to phosphoric acid?

What is the chemical reaction involved in the conversion process?

The Acid and Chemical Reaction

The acid that converts phosphorus to phosphoric acid is nitric acid. The chemical reaction involved in this process is: 10HNO₃ + 4P -> 4H₃PO₄ + 5N₂O + 2H₂O.

When it comes to converting phosphorus to phosphoric acid, nitric acid plays a crucial role in the chemical reaction. Nitric acid reacts with phosphorus to produce phosphoric acid, along with nitrogen monoxide and water.

The balanced chemical reaction for this process is: 10HNO₃ + 4P -> 4H₃PO₄ + 5N₂O + 2H₂O. This equation illustrates that 4 moles of phosphorus react with 10 moles of nitric acid to yield 4 moles of phosphoric acid, nitrogen monoxide, and water.

It is important to handle both phosphorus and nitric acid with caution due to their hazardous nature. Proper safety precautions must be taken when dealing with these chemicals to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment.