Aquaregia Quiz

Aquaregia Overview

• Aquaregia is a highly corrosive mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, typically in a volumetric ratio of 3:1.
• It is capable of dissolving noble metals such as gold and platinum, making it unique among acids.

Key Characteristics

• The primary characteristic of aquaregia is its ability to dissolve gold, which is generally resistant to most acids.
• Aquaregia releases chlorine gas during the reaction, contributing to its effectiveness in breaking down metal compounds.

Common Uses

• Aquaregia is commonly used in metallurgy and gold recovery, especially for refining and purifying noble metals.
• It is also utilized in laboratories for cleaning glassware and removing organic residues.

Mechanism of Dissolving Gold

• The ability of aquaregia to dissolve gold is due to the formation of chloroauric acid when gold reacts with the chlorine produced from the nitric acid in the solution.

Role of Nitric Acid

• Nitric acid plays a crucial role in aquaregia as it generates chlorine gas, which not only helps dissolve gold but also oxidizes metal surfaces to enhance solubility.

Safety Considerations

• Aquaregia is extremely hazardous to handle due to its highly corrosive nature, potentially causing severe burns and respiratory issues if inhaled or contacted with skin.
• Proper safety equipment, including gloves and goggles, should always be used when handling aquaregia.