Sodium extract is heated with concentrated HNO3 before testing for halogens because :

Question

Sodium extract is heated with concentrated HNO₃ before testing for halogens because :

Silver halides are totally insoluble in nitric acid.

Ag₂S and AgCN are soluble in acidic medium.

S₂⁻ and CN⁻, if present, are decomposed by conc. HNO₃ and hence do not interfere in the test.

Ag reacts faster with halides in acidic medium.

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