aqua regia A caustic mixture of one part nitric acid and three parts hydrochloric acid, which dissolves gold and platinum. Aqua regia is used in the analysis of minerals and alloys, and as a powerful cleaning agent. Its name, which is Latin for "royal water", derives from the fact that it dissolves the "royal" metal gold. Related category INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |