Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate

Cu + 2AgNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag

Aperçu

Copper metal displaces silver from silver nitrate solution because copper is more reactive than silver. Silver crystals grow on the copper surface in beautiful tree-like formations (dendrites), while the solution turns blue from dissolved copper nitrate. This produces one of the most visually stunning chemistry demonstrations.

Participants

Rôle Substance Coefficient État
Réactif Copper Cu 1 (s)
Réactif Silver Nitrate AgNO₃ 2 (aq)
Produit Silver Ag 2 (s)

Exemple du quotidien

The silver crystal tree experiment, where a copper wire is placed in silver nitrate solution, is a popular science fair project and chemistry demonstration.

Importance industrielle

Silver recovery from photographic waste solutions uses copper cementation based on this reaction principle.

Propriétés

Type
Single Replacement
Réversible
Non
Énergie
Exothermique
ΔH
-146,4 kJ/mol

Réactions associées

Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Magnesium Reacting with Steam Lithium Reacting with Water Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Iron Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate?
The balanced equation is: Cu + 2AgNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag.
What type of reaction is Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate?
Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate is a single replacement reaction.
Is Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate exothermic or endothermic?
Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -146.4 kJ/mol.