Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate
Pb + 2AgNO3 → Pb(NO3)2 + 2Ag
Overview
Lead metal displaces silver from silver nitrate solution, demonstrating that lead is more reactive than silver. Silver crystals deposit on the lead surface as shiny metallic needles. This was historically used in silver assaying and recovery processes.
Participants
| Role | Substance | Coefficient | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactant | Lead Pb | 1 | (s) |
| Reactant | Silver Nitrate AgNO₃ | 2 | (aq) |
| Product | Silver Ag | 2 | (s) |
Everyday Example
Jewelers and assayers historically used lead to test silver purity, exploiting the differences in metal reactivity.
Industrial Importance
Lead cementation was used in historical silver refining processes. Understanding metal displacement is essential for designing electrochemical cells.
Properties
- Type
- Single Replacement
- Reversible
- No
- Energy
- Exothermic
- ΔH
- -132.0 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
Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate
Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride
Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the equation for Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate?
The balanced equation is: Pb + 2AgNO₃ → Pb(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag.
What type of reaction is Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate?
Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate is a single replacement reaction.
Is Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate exothermic or endothermic?
Lead Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -132.0 kJ/mol.