When copper metal is added to silver nitrate in solution, silver metal and copper(II) nitrate are produced. What mass of silver is produced from 44 g of Cu? Answer in units of g.

Question

When copper metal is added to silver nitrate in solution, silver metal and copper(II) nitrate are produced. What mass of silver is produced from 44 g of Cu? Answer in units of g.

Answer 1

First, write the correctly balanced equation for the reaction taking place:

Cu(s) + 2AgNO₃(aq) ==> 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO₃)₂(aq)

Now, using the stoichiometry of the balanced equation and dimensional analysis, we can solve the problem:

44 g Cu x 1 mol Cu/63.5 g x 2 mol Ag/mol Cu x 108 g Ag/mol Ag = 150 g Ag produced (2 sig. figs.)