Net ionic Equation

Question

1.Magnesium metal is oxidised by a solution of silver nitrate.

 

Answer 1

First, you have to determine if this reaction will even occur.

Well, if you look at the activity series of metals, Magnesium is much higher on the activity series than silver, so that part happens.  Also, nitrates are generally soluble in water.

 

First, write the molecular equation:  Mg (s) + AgNO₃ (aq) --> Mg(NO₃)₂ (aq) + Ag (s)

 

Then, look at the oxidation and reduction reactions:

 

Mg (s) + 2 e- --> Mg ²⁺  (aq)   reduction reaction

Ag ²⁺ (aq) --> Ag (s) + 2 e-   oxidation reaction

 

Silver nitrate and Magnesium nitrate are both soluble in water, so they yield ions:

AgNO₃ (aq) <--> Ag ²⁺ (aq) + NO₃ ^-  (aq) 

Mg ²⁺ (aq) + NO₃ ^- (aq) <--> MgNO₃ (aq)

 

The Nitrate ion (NO₃) ^- ion is a spectator ion and can be removed from both sides because it undergoes no change.

 

so the net ionic equation becomes:

 

Ag ²⁺ (aq) + Mg (s) -->  Mg ²⁺ (aq) + Ag (s)

 

Any questions?......

Here is a link to give you some reading...  https://www.chemedx.org/activity/demonstration-reaction-magnesium-and-silver-nitrate