What is is hno2 an acid or base?

HNO2, also known as nitrous acid, is an acid. It is a weak acid, meaning it does not fully dissociate into ions in solution. Specifically, it is an oxoacid of nitrogen.

Key aspects:

• Acidic Nature: HNO2 donates a proton (H+) in aqueous solutions, thus behaving as an acid.
• Weak Acid: Unlike strong acids, it only partially ionizes, resulting in a lower concentration of H+ ions and a higher pH compared to strong acids.
• Oxoacid: It contains oxygen bonded to the central nitrogen atom and at least one hydroxyl group capable of releasing a proton.