Question

Identify the type of chemical reaction wherein Silver chloride, originally white in colour, turns dark upon exposure to sunlight.

• A. Photolytic decomposition
• B. Electrolytic decomposition
• C. Thermal decomposition
• D. Combination reaction

Answer 1

The correct option is A Photolytic decomposition

Decomposition reaction involves a reactant breaking down into one or more products by taking up energy in the form of heat (thermal decomposition), light (photolytic decomposition) or electricity (electrolytic decomposition).
Silver chloride in the presence of light energy from the sun, decomposes into silver and chlorine gas.
$2\mathrm{AgCl}\left(s\right)\to 2\mathrm{Ag}\left(s\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}_2\left(g\right)$
Hence, it is a photolytic decomposition reaction.