Question

Identify the type of chemical reaction taking place when silver chloride turns black on exposure to sunlight.

• A. Decomposition reaction
• B. Displacement reaction
• C. Combination reaction
• D. Double displacement reaction

Answer 1

The correct option is A Decomposition reaction

Silver chloride decomposes to two different products i.e. silver and chlorine on exposure to sunlight. The correct balanced chemical equation is:

$2\text{AgCl(s)}\to \text{2Ag(s)}+{\text{Cl}}_2\text{(g)}$

Such chemical reaction in which two or more products are formed from a single reactant is called a decomposition reaction. It is a decomposition reaction that occurs in the presence of sunlight and hence it is a photochemical decomposition reaction.