* Aluminum nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃): This is a soluble salt formed when aluminum atoms displace silver ions from the silver nitrate solution.
* Silver (Ag): This is the solid metal formed as a precipitate due to the displacement reaction.
Here's the balanced chemical equation for the reaction:
3AgNO₃(aq) + Al(s) → Al(NO₃)₃(aq) + 3Ag(s)
Explanation:
* Aluminum (Al) is more reactive than silver (Ag) on the reactivity series.
* When aluminum powder is added to silver nitrate solution, aluminum atoms lose three electrons (oxidation) to become aluminum ions (Al³⁺).
* These aluminum ions react with nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) in the solution to form aluminum nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃).
* Simultaneously, silver ions (Ag⁺) from silver nitrate gain an electron each (reduction) and precipitate out as solid silver (Ag).
The resulting solution will have a clear, colorless appearance due to the dissolved aluminum nitrate. The silver precipitate will be visible as a gray or black solid at the bottom of the container.