Inorganic compound, colourless, fuming, highly corrosive liquid, chemical formula HNO₃. A common laboratory reagent, it is important in the manufacture of fertilizers and explosives (including nitroglycerin), as well as in organic syntheses, metallurgy, ore flotation, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. A strong acid, it is toxic and can cause severe burns. It attacks most metals and is used for etching steel and photoengraving.

Learn more about nitric acid with a free trial on Britannica.com.