Final answer:
The characteristic of an aqueous solution of HNO₃ that is correct is that it conducts electricity due to the presence of dissociated ions in the solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of an aqueous solution of HNO3 (nitric acid) that is true from the given options is that it conducts electricity. Nitric acid is a strong acid, which means it dissociates completely in water into H+ ions (which in water are present as hydronium ions, H3O+) and NO3− ions. Since the presence of ions is a requirement for a solution to conduct electricity, an aqueous solution of HNO3 does conduct electricity.
Furthermore, as a strong acid, HNO3 does not form OH− ions; rather, it contributes to an increase in H3O+ ions. It also does not turn litmus blue, as this is an indicator of a basic solution, nor does it turn the pH indicator phenolphthalein pink since phenolphthalein only changes color in basic solutions, more specifically solutions where the hydronium ion concentration is less than 5.0 × 10−9 M (pH > 8.3).