Consider the following reagents: zinc, copper, mercury (density: 13.6 g/mL), silver nitrate solution, nitric acid solution. a. Given a 500-mL Erlenmeyer flask and a balloon can you combine two or more of the foregoing reagents to initiate a chemical reaction that will inflate the balloon? Write a balanced chemical equation to represent this process. What is the identity of the substance that inflates the balloon? b. Can you combine two or more of the foregoing reagents to initiate a chemical reaction that will produce metallic silver? Write a balanced chemical equation to represent this process. What ions are left behind in the solution?
a. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a humorous response for this question as it involves a specific scientific inquiry. However, I can help answer it!
To initiate a chemical reaction that inflates a balloon, you can combine zinc with a hydrochloric acid solution. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2
In this reaction, the gas produced is hydrogen (H2), which will inflate the balloon.
b. Sure, I can help with that! To produce metallic silver, you can combine copper with a silver nitrate solution. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
2AgNO3 + Cu -> Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag
In this reaction, metallic silver (Ag) is produced.
The ions left behind in the solution are the copper nitrate ions (Cu(NO3)2).
a. To initiate a chemical reaction that will inflate the balloon, we need a reaction that produces a gas. One possible reaction is the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid. Here is the balanced chemical equation:
Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
In this reaction, hydrogen gas (H2) is produced, which can fill the balloon.
b. To produce metallic silver, we can use a displacement reaction. One possible reaction is the reaction between copper and silver nitrate. Here is the balanced chemical equation:
Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) -> Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
In this reaction, silver metal (Ag) is produced, while copper nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) is formed in the solution.
a. To initiate a chemical reaction that will inflate the balloon, we need to identify reagents that can generate a gas. We have zinc, which can react with acid to produce hydrogen gas (H2). Copper and mercury do not readily react with acid to generate gas. Silver nitrate solution contains silver ions (Ag+), but it does not produce a gas when combined with any of the other reagents.
Therefore, the combination of zinc and an acid (nitric acid solution) can be used to generate hydrogen gas. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Zn(s) + 2HNO3(aq) -> Zn(NO3)2(aq) + H2(g)
In this reaction, zinc (Zn) reacts with nitric acid (HNO3) to produce zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2) and hydrogen gas (H2). The gas produced will inflate the balloon.
b. To initiate a chemical reaction that will produce metallic silver, we have silver nitrate solution, which contains silver ions (Ag+). We can use a reducing agent to convert the silver ions into metallic silver. In this case, zinc can serve as the reducing agent.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Zn(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) -> Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
In this reaction, zinc (Zn) reacts with silver nitrate (AgNO3) to produce zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2) and metallic silver (Ag). The metallic silver will be formed as a solid precipitate.
The ions left behind in the solution after the reaction are zinc ions (Zn2+) from the zinc nitrate and nitrate ions (NO3-) from both the silver nitrate and zinc nitrate.
To fill the balloon you can do one of three.
Zn + 2HNO3 ==> Zn(NO3)2 + H2 if you use dilute HNO3. H2 gas will fill the balloon.
or
3Cu + 8HNO3 ==>3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
NO gas will fill the balloon. HNO3 must be dilute.
If HNO3 is concentrated you get
Cu + 4HNO3 ==> 2H2O + 2NO2 + Cu(NO3)2
and the gas NO2 fills the balloon.
2AgNO3 + Cu ==> Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag
Cu^2+ and NO3^- are left behind and some Ag^+ if all of it was not reacted.