An iron nail is placed in a beaker containing silver nitrate solution. After 30 minutes, the nail is covered with a grey deposit. Which statement explains this observation?

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Question

An iron nail is placed in a beaker containing silver nitrate solution. After 30 minutes, the nail is covered with a grey deposit. Which statement explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

Iron is more reactive than silver and displaces it — Award 1 mark for correct explanation. Iron is higher in the reactivity series than silver, so iron atoms lose electrons and go into solution as Fe²⁺ ions, while silver ions gain electrons and are deposited as silver metal (grey deposit). A is incorrect — this reverses the relative reactivity. C is incorrect — there is no heating involved and decomposition does not explain the grey deposit. D is incorrect — a reaction clearly occurs as evidenced by the grey deposit.

Answer

Silver nitrate decomposes when heated

Answer

Silver is more reactive than iron and displaces it

Answer

Iron is more reactive than silver and displaces it

Answer

Iron dissolves in the silver nitrate solution without reaction

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