Question

The reactants of two chemical equations are listed.

Equation 1: AgNO3 + Zn
Equation 2: AgNO3 + MgCl2

Based on the type of reaction, which reaction can be used to extract silver metal from silver nitrate solution?

Equation 1, because Zn being more reactive, replaces N from AgNO3
Equation 1, because Zn being more reactive, replaces Ag from AgNO3
Equation 2, because Mg being more reactive, exchanges position with Ag in AgNO3
Equation 2, because Mg being more reactive, exchanges position with N in AgNO3

Answer 1

Equation 1, because Zn being more reactive, replaces Ag from AgNO3

Step-by-step explanation:

The preferential activity of one metal to displace the other in a chemical reaction can be deduced based on the reactivity or activity series.

The elements at the top of the series are highly reactive and can displace metals that fall below them. Both Zn and Mg appear above Ag in the reactivity series and can displace silver from silver nitrate.

1) AgNO3 + Zn → ZnNO3 + Ag

Metallic silver can be extracted through the above single displacement reaction.

2) 2AgNO3 + MgCl2 → 2AgCl + Mg(NO3)2

This is double displacement reaction which instead forms a precipitate of AgCl

Answer 2

Equation 1, because Zn being more reactive, replaces Ag from AgNO3

Zn being highly reactive can replace Ag from AgNO3 and produce Ag metal.

Equation 1: 2AgNO3(aq) + Zn(s) → 2Ag(s) + Zn(NO3)2

This equation is the right one to extract silver metal from silvernitrate solution as its single displacement reaction.