What will happen when solutions of sodium chloride and sliver nitrate are mixed?

When solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) are mixed, a chemical reaction takes place, resulting in the formation of a white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl) and a solution of sodium nitrate (NaNO3). The reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation:

NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

In this reaction, the sodium and chloride ions from NaCl, and the silver and nitrate ions from AgNO3, undergo a double displacement reaction, where the positive ions (cations) and negative ions (anions) switch places to form new compounds. The silver ions (Ag+) from AgNO3 are attracted to the chloride ions (Cl-) from NaCl, forming the insoluble silver chloride compound. This results in the formation of a white precipitate that is visible in the solution.

The sodium ions (Na+) from NaCl and the nitrate ions (NO3-) from AgNO3 remain in solution, forming sodium nitrate (NaNO3), which is a soluble compound. The solution containing sodium nitrate appears colorless and transparent.

The precipitation of silver chloride is a common reaction used to test for the presence of chloride ions in a solution. It is also used in various analytical and industrial processes involving the separation and purification of compounds.