The equation 8HNO3 + 2FeS -> 2Fe(NO3)3 + 4H2O + 5NO + SO2

  1. Detailed information about the equation 8HNO3 + 2FeS -> 2Fe(NO3)3 + 4H2O + 5NO + SO2:

    • The chemical reaction above describes the reaction between Nitric acid (HNO3) and zinc sulfide (FeS) to produce iron(III) nitrate (Fe(NO3)3), water (H2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
    • The total number of moles of reactants and reaction products is conserved according to the law of conservation of mass.

  2. Reaction conditions:

    • This reaction requires the presence of concentrated nitric acid to occur, usually performed at room temperature.

  3. Reaction process:

    • Initially, nitric acid reacts with zinc sulfide to produce iron(III) nitrate, water, nitrogen monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
    • Over time, amounts of nitrogen monoxide and sulfur dioxide are released into the environment, while iron(III) nitrate and water remain.

  4. Observed phenomena:

    • When the reaction occurs, you can see the nitrogen monoxide and sulfur dioxide gas released have a brown-red color and a characteristic pungent odor.
    • The remaining is a brown solution of iron(III) nitrate due to the dissolution of Fe(NO3)3 in water.

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