What is the balanced chemical equation for silver nitrate with state symbols?
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The balanced chemical equation for silver nitrate is:
AgNO₃ (aq)
This represents silver nitrate dissolved in water, which is the typical state when this compound is used in chemical reactions. Since you’re asking for a reaction involving silver nitrate, a common one is the precipitation reaction with sodium chloride (table salt). In this case, the reaction is as follows:
AgNO₃ (aq) + NaCl (aq) → AgCl (s) + NaNO₃ (aq)
Explanation:
This equation shows the reaction between aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) to produce solid silver chloride (AgCl) and aqueous sodium nitrate (NaNO₃).
- Balancing the Equation: The equation is already balanced as written because there is one silver atom (Ag), one nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), one sodium atom (Na), and one chloride ion (Cl⁻) on both sides. The number of each atom and ion is the same on both sides, maintaining the law of conservation of mass.
- State Symbols:
- (aq): Indicates that the compound is dissolved in water (aqueous solution). Silver nitrate and sodium chloride are both soluble in water, so they are in the aqueous phase.
- (s): Indicates that the compound is a solid. Silver chloride (AgCl) is insoluble in water, so it precipitates out as a solid.
- (aq): Sodium nitrate remains dissolved in water after the reaction.
- Double Displacement Reaction: This reaction is an example of a double displacement reaction, where two compounds exchange their components. The silver ion (Ag⁺) from silver nitrate reacts with the chloride ion (Cl⁻) from sodium chloride to form silver chloride (AgCl), a white precipitate. Simultaneously, the sodium ion (Na⁺) reacts with the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻) to form sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), which remains in solution.
- Precipitation Reaction: The formation of silver chloride, which is insoluble in water, is a key feature of this precipitation reaction. It can be visually observed as a white, cloudy solid forming in the solution, signifying the completion of the reaction. This type of reaction is commonly used in qualitative chemical analysis for detecting chloride ions.