Question

Give balanced equations for the following reactions:

Silver nitrate is added to dilute solution of sodium thiosulphate.

Answer 1

When silver nitrate is added to a dilute solution of sodium thiosulphate, the reaction occurs in two steps:

(1) A white precipitate of sodium thiosulphate (Ag₂S₂O₃) is formed.

\[\ce{2AgNO3 + Na2S2O3 -> Ag2S2O3 \downarrow + 2NaNO3}\]

(2) Silver thiosulphate is unstable and decomposes to give black silver sulphide:

\[\ce{Ag2S2O3 -> Ag2S \downarrow + SO3}\]