Nitric acid, also known as aqua fortis and spirit of niter, is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The pure compound is colorless, but older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to decomposition into oxides of nitrogen and water.
Nitric acid is used in the production of ammonium nitrate for fertilizers, making plastics, and in the manufacture of dyes.
When it is combined with hydrochloric acid, an element called aqua regia is formed.
