[algerbrex]

What would be the correct chemical formula for brass reacting with nitric acid?

The reason I'm confused is that from my research, the elements in brass (my brass sample anyway) aren't chemically bonded. This sounded strange to me, so now I'm not sure how to write out the chemical equation for brass.

What I have so far is this:

Zn (s) + Cu (s) + HNO₃ (aq)  ?

What would be the products? I know the copper would react with the nitric acid, but what happens to zinc then?

[Borek]

Each element reacts with the nitric acid on its own (that is, has a separate reaction equation; actually several, as there are several possible oxidation paths ending with a mixture of H₂, NO and NO₂).

[algerbrex]

Each element reacts with the nitric acid on its own (that is, has a separate reaction equation; actually several, as there are several possible oxidation paths ending with a mixture of H₂, NO and NO₂).

Okay, thank you. Since I need to list the chemical equation of brass and nitric acid for a lab report I'm writing, should I write two separate equations?

[Borek]

Since I need to list the chemical equation of brass and nitric acid for a lab report I'm writing, should I write two separate equations?

Yes, at least one for copper and one for zinc.

Depending on what the report is really about (was the dissolution main part of the lab, or was it it just a preparatory part?) it can be, or be not, enough.

[Enthalpy]

[...] The elements in brass aren't chemically bonded [...]

They are bonded! It's a metallic bond, authentic and strong. Just like Cu bonds with Cu to make a solid.

It's just the general but misleading habit to write "Cu" for the solid. As casual as if we wrote "CH₂" for polyethylene.