Aqua Fortis Today
: A colorless liquid when pure, though older samples often turn yellow or brown due to decomposition into nitrogen oxides.
(Latin for "strong water") is the historical and alchemical name for nitric acid ( HNO3cap H cap N cap O sub 3 aqua fortis
: While aqua fortis is straight nitric acid, aqua regia ("royal water") is a more potent mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids specifically used to dissolve "noble" metals like gold. Modern and Traditional Uses : A colorless liquid when pure, though older
: Traditionally prepared by distilling a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) with vitriol (sulfates) or alum. : A colorless liquid when pure