When 3P + 5HNO3 produces 2H2O+ 5NO +3 H3PO4then elemental Phosphorus is oxidized by taking 5 electrons (to become P(+5) in H3PO4) from N(+5)atom in HNO3 (which is turned into N(+2) in NO)
The reaction between phosphorus and nitric oxide produces phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and nitrogen gas (N2). This reaction is highly exothermic and can be explosive.
Potassium dichromate reacts with nitric acid to form chromium(III) nitrate, nitrogen dioxide gas, and water. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: 3K2Cr2O7 + 8HNO3 → 3Cr(NO3)3 + 3KNO3 + 4H2O + 3NO2.
Pieces of copper are added to hot concentrated solutions of hydrochloric, phosphoric, sulfuric and nitric acids. A reaction clearly takes place between copper and nitric acid. The presence of copper ions can be observed by adding each solution to a dilute solution of ammonia. If copper ions were present, we would see the blue color of the copper-ammonia complex. Sulfuric acid has oxidized the copper metal, as indicated by the blue color. Nitric acid is a stronger oxidizing agent (and produces a higher concentration of copper(II) ions), as indicated by the darker blue color.