Question

1. What would you see when silver nitrate was added to a solution containing a chloride ion?
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Answer 1

Answer:

The test for chloride ions described here is based on precipitation of an insoluble chloride salt. When a few drops of a silver nitrate solution are added to a slightly acidic aqueous solution that contains chloride ions, a white precipitate of silver chloride will form

Answer 2

Answer:

=>A curdy white precipitate of Silver Chloride (AgCl) will be obtained.

=>This precipitate is found to be soluble in excess of Ammonium Hydroxide solution and is insoluble in dilute nitric acid solution.

It is for this reason that silver nitrate is usually acidified with dilute nitric acid before testing for chloride ions.

The reactions taking are as follows:

⏩ When Silver nitrate is added to Chloride(Cl-1) ion solution:

      AgNO3 + NaCl -------------> AgCl↓ + NaNO3

⏩ When Ammonium Hydroxide is added dropwise till in excess.

     AgCl + NH4OH -----------> AgOH + NH4Cl

    AgOH + NH4OH + NH4Cl -----------> [Ag(NH3)2] Cl + 2H2O

=> The complex Diamine Silver Chloride is soluble in water.

=> Thus, this serves as a test for Chloride ions.