(a) In common practice silver is recovered from silver nitrate solution by the use of copper metal. Name the type of reaction that takes place in this process and give the chemical equation of the reaction involved.

(b) Name the method used for refining silver.

Q: (a) In common practice silver is recovered from silver nitrate solution by the use of copper metal. Name the type of reaction that takes place in this process and give the chemical equation of the reaction involved. (b) Name the method used for refining silver.

**(a)** The type of reaction is a **displacement reaction**. Copper, being more reactive than silver (copper lies above silver in the reactivity series: ... Cu, Hg, Ag, Au), displaces silver from silver nitrate solution. $$\text{Cu}(s) + 2\text{AgNO}_3(aq) \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3)_2(aq) + 2\text{Ag}(s)$$ Metallic silver is deposited and can be recovered, while copper goes into solution as copper nitrate. **(b)** The method used for refining silver (like most impure metals such as copper, zinc, tin, nickel, gold) is **electrolytic refining**, as described in Section 3.4.6. In this process, a block of impure silver is made the anode and a thin strip of pure silver is made the cathode, with a solution of a silver salt used as the electrolyte. On passing current, pure silver from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte and an equivalent amount of pure silver is deposited on the cathode; soluble impurities go into solution while insoluble impurities settle at the bottom of the anode as anode mud.

Metals and Non-metals

Reactivity Series — Displacement Reactions and Refining of Silver

Official Answer

(a) The type of reaction is a displacement reaction. Copper, being more reactive than silver (copper lies above silver in the reactivity series: ... Cu, Hg, Ag, Au), displaces silver from silver nitrate solution.

$\text{Cu}(s) + 2\text{AgNO}_3(aq) \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3)_2(aq) + 2\text{Ag}(s)$

Metallic silver is deposited and can be recovered, while copper goes into solution as copper nitrate.

(b) The method used for refining silver (like most impure metals such as copper, zinc, tin, nickel, gold) is electrolytic refining, as described in Section 3.4.6. In this process, a block of impure silver is made the anode and a thin strip of pure silver is made the cathode, with a solution of a silver salt used as the electrolyte. On passing current, pure silver from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte and an equivalent amount of pure silver is deposited on the cathode; soluble impurities go into solution while insoluble impurities settle at the bottom of the anode as anode mud.

Hint

Recall Activity 3.12 (copper wire + iron sulphate; iron nail + copper sulphate) and Section 3.4.6 on electrolytic refining.

Quick Oral Answer

It is a displacement reaction: $\text{Cu} + 2\text{AgNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3)_2 + 2\text{Ag}$ , because copper is more reactive than silver. Silver is refined by electrolytic refining, using impure silver as anode, pure silver as cathode, and a silver salt solution as electrolyte.

Analysis & Explanation

This question tests the application of the activity/reactivity series (Table 3.2) to a real-world example, alongside knowledge of refining techniques (Section 3.4.6). Copper is above silver in the activity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, [H], Cu, Hg, Ag, Au), so it can displace silver from $\text{AgNO}_3$ solution — an example of a single displacement reaction, generally represented as $\text{Metal A} + \text{Salt solution of B} \rightarrow \text{Salt solution of A} + \text{Metal B}$ . For part (b), the chapter explicitly names electrolytic refining as 'the most widely used method for refining impure metals,' applicable to silver among the named metals (copper, zinc, tin, nickel, silver, gold).

Common Mistakes

1Calling the reaction a 'combination' or 'decomposition' reaction instead of a displacement reaction.
2Writing an unbalanced equation, e.g. forgetting the factor of 2 before AgNO3 and Ag.
3Confusing electrolytic refining with electrolytic reduction (used for extracting reactive metals like Na, Mg, Al from their molten compounds) — refining is for purifying an already-extracted impure metal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2025?

This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2025 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Metals and Non-metals" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Reactivity Series — Displacement Reactions and Refining of Silver" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2025 paper?

This is a Very Short Answer question from Section B in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2025 paper.