* Silver crystals form on the copper surface: Copper is more reactive than silver. This means copper can displace silver from its compound. Silver ions (Ag+) in the silver nitrate solution react with the copper, causing solid silver (Ag) to deposit onto the copper surface. This creates a silvery coating on the copper.
* The solution turns blue: As copper atoms lose electrons to form copper(II) ions (Cu2+), they dissolve into the solution. These copper ions give the solution a characteristic blue color.
Here's the chemical equation:
Cu(s) + 2AgNO₃(aq) → Cu(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Explanation:
* Cu(s): Solid copper
* AgNO₃(aq): Silver nitrate solution (aqueous)
* Cu(NO₃)₂(aq): Copper(II) nitrate solution (aqueous)
* 2Ag(s): Solid silver
In summary: Copper reacts with silver nitrate to displace silver, forming a silver coating on the copper and a blue copper(II) nitrate solution.