Question

An aqueous solution of carnalite salt can give a precipitate with silver nitrate but the aqueous solution of $\left[Co{\left({NH}_3\right)}_3{Cl}_3\right]$ cannot give a precipitate with silver nitrate. How do you account for this?

• A. Both salts are double salts
• B. Both salts are complex salts
• C. First one is a double salt and other one is a complex salt
• D. First one is a complex salt and other one is a double salt

Answer 1

The correct option is C First one is a double salt and other one is a complex salt

$KMgC{l}_{3}6\left(H_{2}O\right)$ carnallite is a double salt that crystallizes as a single substance but ionizes as two distinct salts when dissolved and will give a precipitate of $AgCl$. $\left[Co{\left({NH}_3\right)}_3{Cl}_3\right]$ is a complex salt as there are no detectable quantities of each of the metal ions existing in solution.