Question

what is the role of zinc metal in extraction of silver

Answer 1

Mostly silver nitrate as ore is used for the extraction of silver.

When zinc metal is added to an aqueous solution of silver nitrate , zinc being more reactive than silver displaces silver from it's nitrate solution and silver metal is obtained.


2AgNO3 + Zn ----------> Zn(NO3)2 + 2Ag.




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Answer 2

Answer:

During extraction of silver, the finely powdered silver ore is treated with dilute KCN solution to form a cyano complex of silver. This complex is water soluble.

Ag2 S + 4NaCN ⇌ 2Na[Ag(CN)2 ] + Na2 S

Then zinc is added to the solution. More electropositive zinc displaces silver from the complex.

2Na[Ag(CN)2 ] + Zn → Na2 [Zn(CN)4 ] + 2Ag↓