Question

Write the acid-base reaction between KOH and HNO3. Identify the acid and the base on the reactant side of the equation.

Answer 1

The reaction is

$$HN{O_3} + KOH \to KN{O_3} + {H_2}O$$

We can also write the ionic equation

$${H^ + } + NO_3^ - + {K^ + } + O{H^ - } \to {K^ + } + NO_3^ - + {H_2}O$$ $${H^ + } + O{H^ - } \to {H_2}O$$

The acid is $HN{O_3}$ because it dissociates in water to form hydrogen ions ${H^ + }$ and the base is $KOH$ because it dissociates in water to form hydroxide ion $O{H^ - }$. There we use Arrhenius definition of base/acid.