Using the activity series (Table 4.5), write balanced chemical equations for the following reactions. If no reaction occurs, write NR. (e) hydrogen gas is bubbled through a solution of silver nitrate.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants: hydrogen gas (H₂) and silver nitrate (AgNO₃).
2. Determine the possible products: silver metal (Ag) and nitric acid (HNO₃) if a reaction occurs.
3. Consult the activity series to compare the reactivity of hydrogen and silver. Hydrogen must be more reactive than silver for a reaction to occur.
4. Since hydrogen is less reactive than silver, no reaction will occur. Therefore, write NR (No Reaction).
5. Conclude that hydrogen gas does not displace silver from silver nitrate solution, so the balanced equation is simply NR.

Key Concepts

Activity Series

The activity series is a list of metals ranked by their ability to displace other metals from solutions of their ions. Metals higher in the series can displace those lower from their compounds. This concept is crucial for predicting whether a reaction will occur when two substances are mixed, particularly in single displacement reactions.

Single Displacement Reaction

A single displacement reaction occurs when an element reacts with a compound, and one element from the compound is replaced by the reacting element. In the context of the question, hydrogen gas could potentially displace silver from silver nitrate if it is more reactive, which can be determined using the activity series.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is essential for accurately representing the conservation of mass in a chemical reaction. In the case of the reaction between hydrogen gas and silver nitrate, if a reaction occurs, the equation must be balanced to reflect the stoichiometry of the reactants and products.