Question

A chemist dissolves silver nitrate (AgNO₃) in water. He also dissolves ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) in water. He mixes the two solutions. A precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl) forms. Which chemical equation correctly represents this reaction?
a. AgNO₃(s) + NH₄Cl(s) $\rightarrow$ AgCl(s) + NH₄NO₃(s)
b. AgNO₃(aq) + NH₄Cl(aq) $\rightarrow$ AgCl(aq) + NH₄NO₃(aq)
c. AgNO₃(aq) + NH₄Cl(aq) $\rightarrow$ AgCl(s) + NH₄NO₃(aq)

Answer 1

Answer:

c. AgNO₃(aq) + NH₄Cl(aq) ->AgCl(s) + NH₄NO₃(aq)

Explanation:

We have to follow the solubility rules to check the states of each compound.

-) All the cholride salts are soluble EXCEPT those also containing: lead, silver or mercury. $Pb^+2~Ag^+~Hg_2^+^2$

-) All the nitrate $NO_3$ and ammonium salts $NH_4^+$ are soluble.

With this in mind $AgNO_3$, $NH_4Cl$ and $NH_4NO_3$ would be soluble, so we have to use the aqueosus state (aq).

The $AgCl$ then would have a solid state (s).