
What happened when?
Copper wire is dipped in silver nitrate solution
Answer
483k+ views
Hint: The standard reduction potential is a measure of the ease of an element to lose its electrons. These values are obtained with reference to the hydrogen electrode. Higher the value of reduction potential higher is the ability of a metal to undergo the reduction. This results in the replacement of existing ions and forming a new composition of ions.
Complete step by step answer:
Copper ion accepts two-electron and reduced to copper metal
The reduction potential of copper is given as follows,
The silver also undergoes the reduction reaction. silver ion accepts the one electrons and reduces to elements. the reduction potential of the silver is,
From the above reduction values, it is clear that the reduction potential of the silver is more than that of the copper. Thus, copper will replace the silver ions.
When the copper wire is dipped in the silver nitrate solution, the silver ions which have more reduction value easily undergo the reduction, and copper which has low reduction potential with respect to silver undergoes the oxidation.
The silver is reduced from to the while the copper loses its two electrons and oxidize to .
The reaction reduction of silver and oxidation of copper is as shown below,
As the reaction proceeds, Silver metal is precipitated as a white solid .The copper ion forms a compound with nitrate ion .The formed Copper nitrate is an inorganic compound and it is a blue crystalline solid .Thus the solution gradually turns into blue in colour.
Therefore, this is the reason when the copper wire is dipped in the silver nitrate solution, the solution turns blue.
Note: The tendency of a metal to lose electrons can be expressed in two ways. As a standard reduction potential or as the standard oxidation potential . Higher positive value indicates the elements easily reduced however high negative value indicates the element is readily oxidized. The SOP and SRP are related as,
Complete step by step answer:
Copper ion
The reduction potential of copper is given as follows,
The silver
From the above reduction values, it is clear that the reduction potential of the silver is more than that of the copper. Thus, copper will replace the silver ions.
When the copper wire is dipped in the silver nitrate solution, the silver ions which have more reduction value easily undergo the reduction, and copper which has low reduction potential with respect to silver undergoes the oxidation.
The silver is reduced from
The reaction reduction of silver and oxidation of copper is as shown below,
As the reaction proceeds, Silver metal is precipitated as a white solid .The copper ion forms a compound with nitrate ion .The formed Copper nitrate is an inorganic compound and it is a blue crystalline solid .Thus the solution gradually turns into blue in colour.
Therefore, this is the reason when the copper wire is dipped in the silver nitrate solution, the solution turns blue.
Note: The tendency of a metal to lose electrons can be expressed in two ways. As a standard reduction potential
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 11 Science PCM | CBSE | SCHOOL | English
CBSE (2025-26)
School Full course for CBSE students
₹41,848 per year
Recently Updated Pages
Master Class 12 Business Studies: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 English: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Social Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Chemistry: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Class 12 Question and Answer - Your Ultimate Solutions Guide

Master Class 12 Economics: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Trending doubts
Give 10 examples of unisexual and bisexual flowers

Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry CBSE

Differentiate between insitu conservation and exsitu class 12 biology CBSE

What are the major means of transport Explain each class 12 social science CBSE

Franz thinks Will they make them sing in German even class 12 english CBSE
