2AgNO3(aq) + 2NH3(aq) + H2O(l) → Ag2O(s) + 2NH4NO3(aq)
The reaction can be described as follows:
1. Initially, the silver ions (Ag+) from AgNO3 are present in the solution.
2. When ammonia (NH3) is added, it reacts with water to form ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), a weak base, which releases hydroxide ions (OH-).
3. The hydroxide ions then react with the silver ions to form a precipitate of silver (I) oxide (Ag2O), which is insoluble in water and appears as a white solid.
4. Simultaneously, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is formed as a soluble product, which remains dissolved in the solution.
Overall, the reaction results in the formation of a white precipitate of silver (I) oxide, while ammonium nitrate stays dissolved in the solution.