Why is nitric acid (HNO_3) added to sodium ex | vedclass

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Question

(B) The sodium extract often contains sodium cyanide $(NaCN)$ and sodium sulphide $(Na_2S)$ along with sodium halides $(NaX)$.If these are not removed

Vedclass · Accepted Answer

To decompose sodium cyanide $(NaCN)$ and sodium sulphide $(Na_2S)$ if present.

Vedclass · Answer

(B) The sodium extract often contains sodium cyanide $(NaCN)$ and sodium sulphide $(Na_2S)$ along with sodium halides $(NaX)$.If these are not removed,they would react with silver nitrate $(AgNO_3)$ to form silver cyanide $(AgCN)$ and silver sulphide $(Ag_2S)$,which are also precipitates and would interfere with the test for halogens.Nitric acid $(HNO_3)$ is added to decompose these interfering ions into volatile gases like hydrogen cyanide $(HCN)$ and hydrogen sulphide $(H_2S)$,which are then boiled off.Therefore,the correct reason is to decompose sodium cyanide and sodium sulphide if present.

Why is nitric acid $(HNO_3)$ added to sodium extract before adding silver nitrate $(AgNO_3)$ for testing halogens?

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