Why Is HNO3 Split Up in the Reactants Side?

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SUMMARY

The reaction of copper(I) sulfide (CuS) with hot nitric acid (HNO3) results in the oxidation of sulfide ions to elemental sulfur and the production of nitrogen monoxide (NO). The balanced chemical equation is 3CuS(s) + 8H(aq) + 2NO3(aq) = 3Cu(aq) + 2NO(g) + 3S(s) + 4H2O(l). HNO3 is split into its ionic components in aqueous solution, which is essential for understanding the stoichiometry of the reaction. The coefficients in the equation indicate the molar ratios of reactants and products, which must be balanced to comply with the law of conservation of mass.

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r_swayze
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CuS precipitates dissolve in hot HNO3. The hot HNO3 oxidizes the sulfide ion in the precipitates to free elemental sulfur, forming NO(g) as its reduction product. For CuS,

3CuS(s) + 8H(aq) + 2NO3(aq) = 3Cu(aq) + 2NO(g) + 3S(s) + 4H2O(l)

I have a few questions here.
Why is HNO3 split up on the reactants side?
Does it matter what the coefficient is of CuS?
if so, how do know whether it 3 or 4 or 2?
 
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First: there should be charges in the equation.

Second: nitric acid is dissociated in water solutions.

Third: do you know what it means "balanced reaction equation"?

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