Question

In the refining of silver, the recovery of Silver from Silver nitrate solution involves displacement reaction by Copper metal. Write down the reaction involved.

Answer 1

Displacement reaction:-

1. It is a chemical reaction which occurs when a more reactive element displaces, a less reactive element from a compound that contains it.
2. After this reaction, the element which is less reactive is now pure.
3. For example:- $\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B}-\mathrm{C}\to \mathrm{A}-\mathrm{C}+\mathrm{B}$.(this reaction happens when $\mathrm{A}$ is more reactive than $\mathrm{B}$)
4. In this reaction, only a metal substitutes for metal and non-metal substitutes only for a non-metal.
5. Here, Silver nitrate $\left({\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\right)$ is in solution and the metallic Copper $\left(\mathrm{Cu}\right)$ will dissolve in it to form Copper nitrate $\left({\mathrm{CuNO}}_3\right)$.
6. After this, there will be precipitate of Silver in the solution as metallic Silver $\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$
7. Copper is exchanged for the Silver in solution and Silver is replaced by the Copper that is not in the solution.

Therefore, the displacement reaction involved in the recovery of Silver from Silver nitrate solution by Copper metal is :- $\underset{\mathrm{Silver}\mathrm{nitrate}}{2{\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Copper}}{\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Silver}}{2\mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Copper}\mathrm{nitrate}}{\mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}$