Question

Explain why only all-glass Apparatus should be used for the preparation of Nitric acid by heating concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate.

Answer 1

Hint: In the given question it is explained why the use of glass material apparatus is necessary for performing a chemical reaction. so, from the given statement the utilization of glass apparatus in the reaction solution is discussed in the answer.

Complete step by step solution: Nitric acid is the highly corrosive acid when it is heated together with addition of concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate or niter it releases highly corrosive fumes which might damage the container made up of metal substances. The temperature of the chemical mixture also fastens and acquires higher as compared to initial temperature and all these changes in the solution can only be prepared in glass apparatus because it will handle all the changes which occur in it.
That is why the glass apparatus is intentionally used because nitric acid vapors are highly acidic and corrosive in nature and can rust cork and rubber if used as a stopper.
Therefore, only all-glass apparatus should be used for the preparation of acid by heating concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate

Additional information: The primary method of manufacture of aqua fortis is finished by the action of catalytic oxidation of ammonia. The preparation and use of acid were known to the first alchemists. A typical laboratory process used for manufacturing consisted of heating potassium nitrate with concentrated sulfuric acid.

Note: As nitric acid could be a colorless acid having a fuming property and may be a highly corrosive liquid which has freezing point of \[ - 42{\text{ }}^\circ C\] and a boiling point of \[83{\text{ }}^\circ C\]Also it is a commonly known laboratory liquid reagent and an essential industrial chemical for the manufacturing of fertilizers and explosives. It is a toxic chemical and can immensely cause several fires and sometimes explosions.