MOLECULAR POLARITYFIELD NOTE 125 / 175
Is HNO3 polar or nonpolar?
Nitric Acid (HNO3) is polar because the O–H group and unequal N–O bonding leave an asymmetric charge distribution.
Nitric Acid · trigonal planar around N
The molecule in space
Drag to turn the molecule. Show angles to read the model geometry.
01 / MODEL RECORDPubChem 3D coordinates. Atom sizes and bond thickness are illustrative.How model data is used ↗
Why HNO3 is polar
Neutral nitric acid has an HO–N(O)2 framework. Resonance distributes bonding across the two oxygens without hydrogen, while the O–H group distinguishes one oxygen from the others.
What to notice
Do not treat HNO3 as nitrate: the neutral acid includes an O–H bond; nitrate is a different ion with a more symmetric oxygen arrangement.
Common questions about HNO3
- 01
What does the Lewis structure of HNO3 show?
One resonance contributor is H–O–N+(=O)–O−. The two non-protonated oxygen positions exchange by resonance; formal charges are essential.
- 02
What is the molecular geometry of HNO3?
HNO3 has a trigonal planar around N molecular geometry. The 3D model shows representative bond angles of 100° and 114.3° and 131.2°. These angles come from the displayed model coordinates.
- 03
What is the molar mass of HNO3?
HNO3 has an approximate molar mass of 63.01 g/mol, calculated from its formula using abridged standard atomic weights. Natural isotope variation can change the last digits.