When zinc metal is placed into a solution of silver nitrate, silver metal and zinc nitrate are produced according to this reaction: Zn(s) + 2 AgNO3(aq) —> 2 Ag(s) + Zn(NO3)2(aq). What chemical atom or ion in the reaction is a spectator? Give a reason for your choice
The nitrate ion (NO3-) is the spectator in this reaction.
The nitrate ion does not change or participate in the reaction as a reactant or product. It is present in the reactant side (AgNO3) and product side (Zn(NO3)2), but it remains unchanged throughout the reaction. The nitrate ion is essentially there to balance the charges of the cations in the reaction and does not play an active role in the formation of the new products.