A sample of water was tested with AgNO3, and gave a white precipitate.
A.What ion was most likely present?
B.What chemical would be the most likely source for the ion?
So far I have that Chloride ion was most likely present and detected by AgNO3, but I don't understand what B is asking me...can someone explain? Thx
I would think that since Cl2 is added as a bactericide for many public water supplies that the Cl2 might be a source (from its reaction with H2O and any bacteria) of chloride ion.
Certainly! Let's break down the question:
A. What ion was most likely present?
To determine the ion present in the water sample, we need to understand what happens when AgNO3 (silver nitrate) reacts with different ions. In this case, a white precipitate was formed. The most likely ion responsible for this precipitate is the chloride ion (Cl-). When silver nitrate reacts with chloride ions, it forms a white precipitate called silver chloride (AgCl).
B. What chemical would be the most likely source for the ion?
This question is asking what chemical could have provided the chloride ion that caused the white precipitate. In natural waters, chloride ions often come from the dissolution of salts. The most common salt that contains chloride ions is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. Other sources of chloride ions could be other chlorides, such as calcium chloride (CaCl2) or magnesium chloride (MgCl2), which are also salts commonly found in natural water sources.
Therefore, the most likely source of the chloride ions in the water sample that caused the white precipitate is a salt like sodium chloride (NaCl) or another chloride-containing compound. It's important to note that further analysis and confirmation may be required to definitively identify the source of the ions in the water sample.