Final answer:
The dissolution of silver in nitric acid is an oxidation-reduction reaction because silver is oxidized, losing electrons to form Ag+ ions, with nitric acid acting as the oxidizing agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dissolution of silver in nitric acid is an oxidation-reduction reaction. In this reaction, silver undergoes oxidation as it loses electrons and is transformed into silver ions (Ag+). Nitric acid acts as an oxidizing agent in this process and itself gets reduced.
Consequently, the dissolution involves a transfer of electrons from silver to nitric acid, which is the characteristic of an oxidation-reduction, or redox, reaction. Reactions where metal dissolves in acid are commonly oxidation-reduction reactions and typically involve the metal (silver in this case) being oxidized. Gold does not dissolve in nitric acid because it is a noble metal and is resistant to oxidation by nitric acid alone.