When silver nitrate (AgNO3) is added to distilled water, it completely dissociates into silver ions (Ag+) and nitrate ions (NO3-). The silver ions in the solution react with water molecules, forming a complex ion called [Ag(H2O)n]+. This complex ion is responsible for the colorless appearance of the solution.

AgNO3(aq) → Ag+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

Ag+(aq) + H2O(l) → [Ag(H2O)n]+(aq)

When silver nitrate is added to a salt solution, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), a precipitation reaction occurs. The silver ions in the solution react with the chloride ions from the salt, forming a white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl).

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

The formation of the white precipitate indicates the presence of chloride ions in the solution. This reaction is commonly used to test for the presence of chloride ions in a given sample.