What is "aqua fortis"

Aqua fortis \A`qua for"tis\ [L., strong water.] (Chem.) Nitric acid. [Archaic]

old name for "concentrated nitric acid," c.1600, Latin, literally "strong water;" see aqua- + fort. So called for its power of dissolving metals (copper, silver) unaffected by other agents.

n. 1 (context inorganic compound historical English) nitric acid. 2 (context alchemy English) A corrosive liquor made of saltpeter, serving as a solvent for dissolving silver and all other metals except gold.

n. acid used especially in the production of fertilizers and explosives and rocket fuels [syn: nitric acid]

In alchemy, aqua fortis ( Latin for "strong water") is nitric acid (HNO). Being highly corrosive, the solution was used in alchemy for dissolving silver and most other metals with the notable exception of gold, which can be dissolved using aqua regia or "regal water". Aqua fortis was prepared by mixing either sand, alum, or vitriol, or the last two together, with saltpeter, then distilling it by a hot fire. The gas collected from this condenses into aqua fortis. It was first described by alchemist Pseudo-Geber.

Aqua fortis was useful to refiners for parting or separating silver from gold and copper; to the workers in mosaic for staining and coloring their woods; to other artists for coloring of bone and ivory, which is done by tinging the items with copper or verdigris, then soaking in aqua fortis. Some also turn it into aqua regia, by dissolving in a quarter of its weight of sal ammoniac, and then use this to stain ivory and bone, of a fine purple color. Bookbinders also put it on leather, making fine marble covers for books. Diamond cutters used it to separate diamonds from metalline powders. It was also used in etching copper or brass plates. It was mixed with oil of vitriol and used to stain canes to appear like a tortoise shell by applying several coats while the cane is over hot coals. The canes were then given a gloss with a little soft wax and a dry cloth.

Concise Chemistry Class X