Question

Which of the following are mineral acids?
A. Nitric acid
B. Citric acid
C. Formic acid
D. Hydrochloric acid

Answer 1

Hint: An acid derived from an inorganic compound is known as a mineral acid. A mineral acid on dissociation gives a hydrogen ion and a conjugate base. The conjugate base should not contain a carbon atom.

Complete step by step answer:
Nitric acid $\left( {{\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}} \right)$ on dissociation gives ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ and ${\text{NO}}_3^ - $ ion. The ${\text{NO}}_3^ - $ is the conjugate base. It does not contain carbon and thus, nitric acid is not an organic acid but a mineral acid.
Thus, option (A) is correct.
Citrus acid $\left( {{{\text{C}}_6}{{\text{H}}_8}{{\text{O}}_{\text{7}}}} \right)$ on dissociation gives a conjugate base that contains carbon and thus, citrus acid is an organic acid and not a mineral acid.
Thus, option (B) is incorrect.
Formic acid $\left( {{\text{HCOOH}}} \right)$ on dissociation gives a conjugate base that contains carbon and thus, formic acid is an organic acid and not a mineral acid.
Thus, option (C) is incorrect.
Hydrochloric acid $\left( {{\text{HCl}}} \right)$ on dissociation gives ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ and ${\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$ ion. The ${\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$ is the conjugate base. It does not contain carbon and thus, hydrochloric acid is not an organic acid but a mineral acid.
Thus, option (D) is correct.

Thus, the correct options are (A) and (D) nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.

Note:
- An acid which in its dissociated ion contains carbon is known as an organic acid. The examples of organic acid are acetic acid, oxalic acid, etc.
- A mineral acid on dissociation gives a hydrogen ion and a conjugate base. The examples of mineral acid are sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, etc.
- Mineral acids are highly soluble in water and are insoluble in organic solvents.