Question

Silver nitrate solution was added to sodium chloride solution. After the mixture was filtered, what substance(s) came through the filter paper into the collection beaker?

(A) Sodium nitrate and water
(B) Silver nitrate only
(C) Silver chloride and water
(D) Silver chloride only
(E) None

Answer 1

The substances that pass through the filter paper after filtering a mixture of silver nitrate and sodium chloride solutions are sodium nitrate and water, answer choice (A).

Step-by-step explanation:

When a silver nitrate solution is added to a sodium chloride solution, a chemical reaction occurs in which a precipitate of silver chloride forms. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

NaCl (aq) + AgNO3 (aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + AgCl (s)
Upon filtering the mixture, the solid silver chloride remains on the filter paper due to its low solubility in water. The filtrate, the substance that passes through the filter paper, contains the sodium nitrate which is soluble and therefore remains in aqueous form along with the water.

Therefore, after filtration, the substances that come through the filter paper into the collection beaker are sodium nitrate and water, which is answer choice (A).