A test for chloride ions in aqueous solution involves adding dilute nitric acid followed by aqueous silver nitrate - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 18 - 2022 - Paper 3
Question 18
A test for chloride ions in aqueous solution involves adding dilute nitric acid followed by aqueous silver nitrate.
What is the reason for adding the nitric acid?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A test for chloride ions in aqueous solution involves adding dilute nitric acid followed by aqueous silver nitrate - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 18 - 2022 - Paper 3
Step 1
What is the reason for adding the nitric acid?
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Answer
The addition of dilute nitric acid serves the purpose of preventing the precipitation of other silver compounds. Specifically, nitric acid ensures that any possible silver ions remain in solution by avoiding the formation of other insoluble silver compounds, thus allowing for a more accurate reaction with chloride ions.