Question

Silver can be separated from gold because silver dissolve in nitric acid while gold does not. Is this dissolution of silver in nitric acid and acid-base reaction or an oxidation-reduction reaction? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, it is an redox reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

`2Ag_((aq)) +2HNO_(3)_((s)) =2AgNO_(3)_((aq)) +H_(2)_((g))`

In this reaction silver is oxidated to
`Ag^(+)` and
`H^(+)` is reduced to
`H_(2)`

reduction semi reaction

`2H^(+)+2e=H_(2)`

oxidationsemi reaction

`Ag_(s)=Ag^(+)+e`

global reaction

`2Ag_((aq)) +2HNO_(3)_((s)) =2AgNO_(3)_((aq)) +H_(2)_((g))`