Question

In an experiment the chemical reaction between a piece of aluminum foil and Copper(II)Chloride solution in a beaker is observed. The Aluminum seems to disapear over time. The balanced chemical equation is given by: 2 Al + 3 CuCl ⇒3 Cu +2 AlCl3

Can you predict the outcome of the same experiment when Aluminum is replaced with a more reactive element such as Silver?

A) No reaction would occur.
B) The silver would disappear but no solid precipitate would form.
C) The silver would disappear and a silver solid precipitate would form.
D) The silver would disappear and a brownish red solid precipitate would form.

Hint: What would the new product be?

Answer 1

When Ag(silver) reacts with CuCl2, Ag displaces Cu from CuCl2 and forms AgCl which is soluble and brownish red solid precipitate is left in the solution.

Hence option D is correct.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Answer: A) No reaction would occur.

Explanation:

Single replacement reaction is a chemical reaction in which more reactive element displaces the less reactive element from its salt solution.

Example:
`2Al+3CuCl\rightarrow 3Cu+2AlCl_3`

Thus When aluminium is treated with copper chloride ,aluminium being more reactive than copper displaces copper from its salt solution and thus produce aluminium chloride.

But when aluminum is replaced by silver, o reaction would occur as silver is less reactive than copper and hence would not be displace it from its salt solution.

`Ag+CuCl\rightarrow {\text {no reaction}}`