Question

a) Identify the type of chemical reaction taking place when white silver chloride turns grey on exposure to sunlight.
b) Write the chemical equation for this reaction.
c) Mention one commercial application of this reaction.
[3 Mark]

Answer 1

a) On exposure to sunlight, silver chloride decomposes to two different products - silver and chlorine. A chemical reaction in which two or more products are formed from a single reactant is called a decomposition reaction.
[1 Mark]
b) The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

$2\text{AgCl(s)}\to \text{2Ag(s)}+{\text{Cl}}_2\text{(g)}$
[1 Mark]
c) It is used in black and white photography.
[1 Mark]