devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

Which of the following reacts most slowly with nitric acid?

Sulphur

Chlorine

Phosphorus

Iodine

Solution:

Correct option is B. Chlorine. Chlorine reacts most slowly with nitric acid (HNO3) among all the given elements because both nitric acid and chlorine are strong oxidizing agents. A reaction between two strong oxidizing agents is less likely to occur spontaneously compared to a reaction between a strong oxidizing agent and a strong reducing agent.