Problem- Please answers each problem individually, carefully and clearly. Extra points are integrated to a knowledge amount of work being done.
a) Mercury metal does not react with hydrochloric acid but it reacts with nitric acid.
b) What is the most probable oxidation state of mercury in solution in its reaction with HNO3?
c) Is mercury metal or nitric acid the oxidizing agent?
d) Since HCl and HNO3? are acids, why does mercury metal react with nitric acid and not hydrochloric acid?