Which type of acid reacts with phosphate rock to produce calcium nitrate?

Calcium nitrate is produced when phosphate rock reacts with nitric acid. In this reaction, nitric acid dissolves the phosphate rock, which contains calcium phosphate. The chemical reaction leads to the formation of calcium nitrate, phosphoric acid, and other byproducts. This process is often used in the production of fertilizers, leveraging the availability of nitrate ions along with calcium, which is beneficial for plants.

Other acids like hydrochloric acid and acetic acid do not produce calcium nitrate specifically from phosphate rock. Hydrochloric acid primarily produces calcium chloride and phosphoric acid in this context while acetic acid does not react significantly with phosphate rock. Phosphoric acid can be derived from the reaction but does not result in calcium nitrate directly from phosphate rock. Thus, nitric acid is the correct answer for producing calcium nitrate from phosphate rock.