Which one of the following was the first mineral acid discovered ?

Sulphuric acid

Hydrochloric acid

Nitric acid

Phosphoric acid

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UPSC NDA-2 – 2020

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Nitric acid was one of the first mineral acids discovered.

Mineral acids are acids derived from inorganic compounds. Historically, strong mineral acids like nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid were developed by alchemists and early chemists during the Middle Ages. Nitric acid (aqua fortis) is often credited to the Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) in the 8th century, produced by distilling saltpetre (potassium nitrate) with vitriol (sulfates).

While the precise historical order and attribution can be complex due to the nature of early chemical writings, nitric acid is widely recognized as one of the earliest strong mineral acids whose preparation from mineral sources was documented. Sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid were also known and developed around similar periods by various alchemists like Al-Razi. Phosphoric acid was discovered later, notably by Hennig Brand in the 17th century.

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