The Ostwald Process is an industrial method used to produce nitric acid from ammonia. It involves the oxidation of ammonia gas in the presence of a catalyst, typically platinum or rhodium, at high temperatures. The reaction produces nitrogen monoxide, which is then further oxidized to nitrogen dioxide and subsequently absorbed in water to form nitric acid. This process is significant in the production of fertilizers and explosives, as nitric acid is a key ingredient in many chemical reactions. The Ostwald Process is named after the German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald, who contributed to its development in the early 20th century.