Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate

Cu + 2AgNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag

Overview

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

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Copper Cu 1 (s)
Reactant Silver Nitrate AgNO₃ 2 (aq)
Product Silver Ag 2 (s)

Everyday Example

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

Industrial Importance

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

Properties

Type
Single Replacement
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-146.4 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate

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.