Questions: Two aqueous solutions of NaCl and AgNO3 are mixed. Write out what major chemical species will be present in the solution. Include physical states of matter.

Two aqueous solutions of NaCl and AgNO3 are mixed. Write out what major chemical species will be present in the solution. Include physical states of matter.

Transcript text: Two aqueous solutions of NaCl and $\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}$ are mixed. Write out what major chemical species will be present in the solution. Include physical states of matter.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Reactants and Their Dissociation

When aqueous solutions of NaCl and $\mathrm{AgNO}_3$ are mixed, both compounds dissociate into their respective ions in water. The dissociation reactions are:

\[ \mathrm{NaCl} (aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}^+ (aq) + \mathrm{Cl}^- (aq) \]

\[ \mathrm{AgNO}_3 (aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ag}^+ (aq) + \mathrm{NO}_3^- (aq) \]

Step 2: Determine the Possible Reaction

The ions present in the solution are $\mathrm{Na}^+$, $\mathrm{Cl}^-$, $\mathrm{Ag}^+$, and $\mathrm{NO}_3^-$. A possible reaction is the formation of $\mathrm{AgCl}$, which is known to be insoluble in water:

\[ \mathrm{Ag}^+ (aq) + \mathrm{Cl}^- (aq) \rightarrow \mathrm{AgCl} (s) \]

Step 3: Identify the Major Chemical Species

After the reaction, the major chemical species present in the solution will be:

$\mathrm{Na}^+ (aq)$ - remains in solution as it does not participate in the precipitation reaction.
$\mathrm{NO}_3^- (aq)$ - remains in solution as it does not participate in the precipitation reaction.
$\mathrm{AgCl} (s)$ - forms as a precipitate due to its low solubility in water.