What happens whensodium chloride and silver nitrate react in a replacement reaction?
sodium nitrate and silver chloride is formed.
When sodium chloride (NaCl) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) react in a replacement reaction, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of two new compounds: silver chloride (AgCl) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3).
To understand the reaction that takes place, we need to examine the chemical equation:
NaCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + NaNO3
In this reaction, sodium chloride and silver nitrate exchange their respective ions to form new compounds. The sodium ion from sodium chloride combines with the nitrate ion from silver nitrate to produce sodium nitrate as one of the products. Similarly, the silver ion from silver nitrate combines with the chloride ion from sodium chloride to form silver chloride as the other product.
To determine the products of this reaction, we can use the concept of ionic bonding and solubility rules. Generally, when a metal cation (such as silver ion) reacts with an anion (such as chloride ion), a solid precipitate is formed. In this case, silver chloride (AgCl) is an insoluble compound and appears as a white precipitate. On the other hand, sodium nitrate (NaNO3) is a soluble compound and remains in the aqueous solution.
If you were to actually perform this reaction in a lab, you would observe the formation of a white precipitation of silver chloride, while the remaining solution would be sodium nitrate dissolved in water.
In summary, when sodium chloride and silver nitrate react in a replacement reaction, silver chloride (AgCl) is formed as a solid precipitate, while sodium nitrate (NaNO3) remains in the solution.