Question

Which among the following statement(s) is/are true? Exposure of silver chloride to sunlight for a long duration turns grey due to:

(i) the formation of silver by decomposition of silver chloride

(ii) sublimation of silver chloride

(iii) decomposition of chlorine gas from silver chloride

(iv) oxidation of silver chloride

• A. (i) only
• B. (i) and (iii)
• C. (ii) and (iii)
• D. (iv) only

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

(i) only

Silver Chloride $(AgCl$) is a white crystalline solid, which turns grey on long exposure to sunlight because of the formation of silver metal and chlorine gas. The decomposition reaction taking place is written as:

$2AgCl\stackrel{sunlight}{\to }2Ag+{Cl}_2$
(white) (grey)