How To Make Nitric Acid - Science Experiments - WonderHowTo

WonderHowTo Science Experiments WonderHowTo Gadget Hacks Next Reality Null Byte Gadget Hacks Next Reality Food Hacks Null Byte The Secret Yumiverse Invisiverse Macgyverisms Mind Hacks Mad Science Lock Picking Driverless Facebook Pinterest X Follow Us Search Close Search Search Menu how to Home Science Experiments How to Make nitric acid By DrLithium

Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make nitric acid. They show three ways to make nitric acid based on two different chemical approaches, both of which can be done using easily accessible materials.

Warning: The procedures in this video produce large quantities of toxic gases and deal with highly corrosive acids. All work must be performed in a fume hood with proper safety equipment. And all apparatus must be glass to withstand the acids.

Chemically, nitric acid is made by bubbling nitrogen dioxide into water. So the objective in this approach is to generate nitrogen dioxide. This can be done by reacting hydrochloric acid, a nitrate salt and copper. Around 80-grams of sodium nitrate, over 30-grams of copper and 100-mL of hydrochloric acid are the quantities needed. The exact amount isn't critical. For useable concentrations, the amount of water being converted should be small, around 20-50-mL.

Any source of nitrate is usable including potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and even nitrate-based fertilizers.

The tricky part now is leading the gas into water. Two approaches are shown in the video. In the first approach three containers, such as jars are place inside each other to force the gas to go into the water. This is very inefficient but is very simple to do.

The better approach is to lead the gas out of the generator through a tube and into a chilled container of water.

The last way of making pure nitric acid is to react concentrated sulfuric acid and a pure nitrate salt (NOT fertilizer) and heat it in a glass distillation apparatus to distill over the pure nitric acid. Stochiometric quantities of both reagents are recommended for maximum yield.

Brought to you by one of WonderHowTo's favorite scientists NurdRage.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.

Related Articles

• 

  Make Slime Without Borax: 5 Easy Recipes for Gooey Homemade Ooze

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Convert American Pounds to Kilograms

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Make Ammonium Nitrate with NaHSO4 and Nitrate Salt

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Make a Crazy Foam Explosion Science Experiment

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Make Gooey Green Slime Using Elmer's Glue and Borax

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use a Three-Way Stopcock in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use a Desiccator in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Perform Paper Chromatography in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Perform Thin-Layer Chromatography in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Store Crystalline Chemistry Samples in Storage Paper

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use an Electronic Balance in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use a Volumetric Flask in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use a Volumetric Pipette and Filler in the Chem Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Perform Titration with a Burette in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Rinse Volumetric Glassware in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Use a Bunsen Burner in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Heat Liquids with a Casserole in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Separate by Pipette Drawing in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Perform Separation by Decantation in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to
• 

  How to Perform Centrifugation in the Chemistry Lab

  Science Experimentshow-to

Comments

SubmitNo Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!

Latest Articles news MWC 2026: What to Expect from Barcelona's Tech Show news iPhone 18 Pro Satellite Internet: Apple's SpaceX Deal news Google Bans Thousands of Developers in Major Purge news AI Could Build the Next iTunes, Breaking Spotify's Grip news Meta Smartwatch Revealed: 2026 Launch With Neural AI news Apple Scores F1 Broadcast Rights in 5-Year Deal news Google Gemini Android App Gets Major UI Overhaul news Google AI Mode Adds Inline Citations for Transparency news Nothing Phone 4a: Why No Flagship Until 2026 how to Apple Mail's Hidden Smart Mailboxes Solve Inbox Chaos news Spotify Turns Streams Into Seats With SeatGeek Deal news Pixel 10a Gets AirDrop Compatibility: Budget Android Win news Pixel 10a vs 9a: Why This Comparison Doesn't Exist Yet news Apple Music Connect Returns: B2B Tools for Labels news Apple Smart Glasses 2027: AI-Powered Context Revealed news Google Reveals Android XR Glasses Design Blueprint news Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Hit 7M Sales, Stock Surges 5% news Apple March 4 Event: Budget MacBook & iPhone 17e Revealed news Nothing Opens First Flagship Store in Mumbai news Apple Podcasts Gets Video in iOS 26.4 Update Facebook Pinterest X Follow Us Categories Arts & Crafts Autos, Motorcycles & Planes Beauty & Style Business & Money Computers & Programming Dance Dating & Relationships Diet & Health Disaster Preparation Education Electronics Family Film & Theater Fine Art Fitness Food Games Hobbies & Toys Home & Garden Hosting & Entertaining Language Magic & Parlor Tricks Motivation & Self Help Music & Instruments Outdoor Recreation Pets & Animals Pranks & Cons Software Spirituality Sports Travel Video Games Gadget Hacks Sites Android Apple Chrome OS Cord Cutters Digiwonk Hacks Mods & Circuitry Internet Roku Smartphones Tablets Tech Pr0n Windows Tips Next Reality Sites Augmented Reality News Google Glass HoloLens HTC Vive Magic Leap Meta 2 Mixed Reality News Mobile AR News Mobile VR News Oculus Rift Virtual Reality News Featured Sites WonderHowTo Gadget Hacks Next Reality Null Byte About About Terms Privacy wonderhowto.com