Question

A metal X forms a water soluble salt XNO₃. When an aqueous solution of XNO₃ is added to common salt solution, then a white precipitate of compound Y is formed along with sodium nitrate solution. Metal X is said to be the best conductor of electricity and it does not evolve hydrogen when put in dilute hydrohloric acid.

1. What is metal X?
2. What is salt XNO₃?
3. Name the compound Y.
4. Write the chemical equation of the reaction which takes place on reacting XNO₃ solution and common salt solution giving the physical states of all the reactants and products.
5. What type of chemical reaction is illustrated by the above equation?

Answer 1

1. Metal X is silver (Ag).
2. Salt XNO₃ is silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
3. Compound Y is silver chloride (AgCl).
4. \[\ce{AgNO3_{(aq)} + NaCl_{(aq)} -> AgCl_{(s)}\downarrow + NaNO3_{(aq)}}\]
5. A double-displacement reaction, specifically a precipitation reaction, occurs.