Question

When solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chloride are mixed, a white precipitate forms. The ionic equation for the reaction is 

Ag⁺(aq) + Cl^- → AgCl(s)

(i) (a) What is the name of the white precipitate?
(b) Is it a soluble or insoluble compound?

(ii) Is the precipitation of silver chloride a redox reaction?

Answer 1

(i) (a) Silver chloride (AgCl) is the white precipitate formed.

(b) Silver chloride (AgCl) is an insoluble compound.
(ii) It is not a redox reaction.

NaCl + AgNO₃(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO₃(aq)

In this reaction, cations Ag⁺ and Na⁺ have exchanged their anions NO^3- and Cl^- and a precipitate of AgCl has been formed. It is an example of double displacement and precipitation reactions.