Question

When \[HCl\] reacts with silver nitrate, it forms a white precipitate of:
A) Silver Nitrite
B) Silver Hydroxide
C) Silver Chloride
D) Both \[\left( B \right)\] and \[\left( C \right)\]

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the Silver Nitrate is stored in labs; it is always advised to store them in dark bottles. There is a specific reason for this. Silver Nitrate is very sensitive to light. This means that the chemical will react when exposed to light. So, when this is left exposed to sunlight or any bright light, it will start to hydrolyze. This will result in the formation of black or brown colored silver oxide and nitric acid. If this is stored in dark bottles, and kept away from contact with direct light, this reaction can be minimized and hence can be stored for a longer duration.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Silver Nitrate is also called Lunar Caustic. It kills microorganisms and will also react with compounds in human flesh. That is why it has been used in the medical industry The word "Caustic" means which can corrode. Improper use of Lunar caustic on the human body can cause severe damage. The alchemists believed that the chemical silver was always associated with the moon. The Latin word for Moon is Luna, so it was named Lunar Caustic.

Silver Nitrate is a salt, which is colorless or of a white crystalline form. When this is exposed to light or any organic material, this becomes black in color. Silver Nitrate when heated decomposes and forms, Silver, Nitrogen dioxide and Oxygen. Dilute $HCl$does not react with nitrates but can react with silver nitrate to form a white precipitation of silver chloride
$HCl+AgN{{O}_{3}}\to AgCl+HN{{O}_{3}}$

Therefore, Option C is the correct option i.e. when \[HCl\] reacts with silver nitrate, it forms a white precipitate of Silver Chloride.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Silver Nitrate is a caustic chemical. Hence this will cause irritation. When it is absorbed in the skin over a long period of time it causes a greyish discoloring of tissues. This phenomenon is called argyria. If inhaled, this will cause irritation and damage to mucous membranes. If Silver Nitrate is taken in by mouth, it can have dangerous effects and sometimes cause death also. It can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness and convulsions also.