Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Lucas reagent is used to distinguish primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols by how fast they turn turbid.
Step 2: Composition
It is a solution of anhydrous \(\text{ZnCl}_{2}\) in concentrated HCl.
Anhydrous \(\text{ZnCl}_{2}\) is a Lewis acid that helps break the C-OH bond, and concentrated HCl supplies \(\text{Cl}^{-}\).
Step 3: Why the others fail
Aqueous zinc chloride or dilute HCl brings too much water, which weakens the reagent.
Nitric acid does not provide chloride ions at all.
Final Answer:
Lucas reagent is anhydrous ZnCl2 in conc. HCl.
\[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Anhydrous }\text{ZnCl}_{2}\text{ dissolved in conc. HCl}} \]