Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong and highly corrosive mineral acid with the chemical formula HNO3. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor and is a key chemical in various industrial and laboratory applications. Nitric acid is widely used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and chemicals, including nitrate salts and plastics. In the laboratory, it is a common reagent for various chemical reactions and analyses. Nitric acid also plays a vital role in metal processing, particularly for etching and cleaning metals, as well as in the production of electronics and semiconductors. Its corrosive properties, reactivity, and versatility make nitric acid a fundamental compound in numerous industrial processes and scientific research.