Difference between revisions of "Make Silver Nitrate"
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| − | Silver nitrate is a useful chemical for many experiments including halide detection, halogen precipitation, mirror silvering, and metal displacement.<ref>http://www.saltlakemetals.com/Silver_Nitrate_Uses.htm</ref> Buying silver nitrate can be expensive, but both nitric acid and silver bars can be purchased by most individuals, so it can be easily made. The reaction does produce hazardous fumes, so you must use caution and wear the proper protective equipment during the process. | + | Silver nitrate is a useful chemical for many experiments including halide detection, halogen precipitation, mirror silvering, and metal displacement.<ref name="rf1">http://www.saltlakemetals.com/Silver_Nitrate_Uses.htm</ref> Buying silver nitrate can be expensive, but both nitric acid and silver bars can be purchased by most individuals, so it can be easily made. The reaction does produce hazardous fumes, so you must use caution and wear the proper protective equipment during the process. |
[[Category:Chemistry]] | [[Category:Chemistry]] | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Preparing a Safe Workspace === | === Preparing a Safe Workspace === | ||
| − | #Wear proper protective equipment. The chemicals necessary for this process are highly toxic and can lead to injury if not handled properly. Eye protection, gloves, and a lab coat are necessary to remain safe. Long pants and closed-toe shoes, preferably without mesh, should be worn to protect against floor spills.<ref>http://chemsafety.chem.oregonstate.edu/content/sop-concentrated-acids</ref> | + | #Wear proper protective equipment. The chemicals necessary for this process are highly toxic and can lead to injury if not handled properly. Eye protection, gloves, and a lab coat are necessary to remain safe. Long pants and closed-toe shoes, preferably without mesh, should be worn to protect against floor spills.<ref name="rf2">http://chemsafety.chem.oregonstate.edu/content/sop-concentrated-acids</ref> |
#* Eye protection should completely cover your eyes and the sides of your eyes to protect from splashes. | #* Eye protection should completely cover your eyes and the sides of your eyes to protect from splashes. | ||
#* Latex or nitrile gloves should be worn to protect your hands. | #* Latex or nitrile gloves should be worn to protect your hands. | ||
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=== Making Silver Nitrate === | === Making Silver Nitrate === | ||
| − | #Gather the necessary materials. To make silver nitrate you will need a fume hood or outdoor workspace, concentrated nitric acid (70%), a clean glass container, a piece of pure silver, aluminum wire, and a hot plate. The amount of nitric acid and silver needed is dependent upon how much silver nitrate you are trying to make. The fumes released during this process are extremely toxic, so a properly ventilated workspace is essential.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hPgGV_qAg</ref> | + | #Gather the necessary materials. To make silver nitrate you will need a fume hood or outdoor workspace, concentrated nitric acid (70%), a clean glass container, a piece of pure silver, aluminum wire, and a hot plate. The amount of nitric acid and silver needed is dependent upon how much silver nitrate you are trying to make. The fumes released during this process are extremely toxic, so a properly ventilated workspace is essential.<ref name="rf3">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hPgGV_qAg</ref> |
#* Nitric acid has to be purchased from a chemical lab supply store. | #* Nitric acid has to be purchased from a chemical lab supply store. | ||
| − | #* If you have to dilute the nitric acid, always add ACID to WATER while gently stirring, never the other way around. Adding water to acid can lead to explosions and injury.<ref>http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/safety/faq/always-add-acid.shtml</ref> | + | #* If you have to dilute the nitric acid, always add ACID to WATER while gently stirring, never the other way around. Adding water to acid can lead to explosions and injury.<ref name="rf4">http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/safety/faq/always-add-acid.shtml</ref> |
| − | #* Pure silver can be purchased online, at a precious metals dealer, or a local coin shop or show.<ref>http://www.silvercoins.com/buying-silver/</ref> | + | #* Pure silver can be purchased online, at a precious metals dealer, or a local coin shop or show.<ref name="rf5">http://www.silvercoins.com/buying-silver/</ref> |
#Fill a clean glass container with concentrated nitric acid. The glass container needs to be clean so the silver nitrate will be free of impurities. Add enough of the nitric acid so that the piece of silver you have will be almost completely submerged. | #Fill a clean glass container with concentrated nitric acid. The glass container needs to be clean so the silver nitrate will be free of impurities. Add enough of the nitric acid so that the piece of silver you have will be almost completely submerged. | ||
#* Carefully pour the nitric acid into the container, taking care not to spill anything. | #* Carefully pour the nitric acid into the container, taking care not to spill anything. | ||
#* Always wear protective gloves, eyewear, and a lab coat when handling nitric acid. | #* Always wear protective gloves, eyewear, and a lab coat when handling nitric acid. | ||
| − | #Wrap the aluminum wire around the silver. Aluminum will not react with the nitric acid and will allow you to have a little more control over the reaction. Wrap the aluminum around the silver and leave enough of a tail so you can easily remove the silver from the solution if it starts to boil too much.<ref | + | #Wrap the aluminum wire around the silver. Aluminum will not react with the nitric acid and will allow you to have a little more control over the reaction. Wrap the aluminum around the silver and leave enough of a tail so you can easily remove the silver from the solution if it starts to boil too much.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Place the piece of aluminum-wrapped silver in the nitric acid. Before placing the silver in the nitric acid, make sure you are outside or working in a fume hood. Once everything has been prepared, simply submerge the silver in the nitric acid. At this point, you should see a few bubbles being made as the reaction begins. The reaction will continue slowly because it the solution is cool.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hPgGV_qAg </ref> | + | #Place the piece of aluminum-wrapped silver in the nitric acid. Before placing the silver in the nitric acid, make sure you are outside or working in a fume hood. Once everything has been prepared, simply submerge the silver in the nitric acid. At this point, you should see a few bubbles being made as the reaction begins. The reaction will continue slowly because it the solution is cool.<ref name="rf6">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hPgGV_qAg </ref> |
| − | #Heat the acid until the silver starts to bubble. Again, this reaction will create toxic gases, so please do not perform this indoors. Do not lean over the solution and breathe in the gases. Work in a properly ventilated fume hood, outside, or wear a gas mask. Place the container on the hot plate and heat the solution until you see the silver really start to bubble.<ref | + | #Heat the acid until the silver starts to bubble. Again, this reaction will create toxic gases, so please do not perform this indoors. Do not lean over the solution and breathe in the gases. Work in a properly ventilated fume hood, outside, or wear a gas mask. Place the container on the hot plate and heat the solution until you see the silver really start to bubble.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* The solution will turn opaque during this process and you will not be able to see everything that is happening. | #* The solution will turn opaque during this process and you will not be able to see everything that is happening. | ||
#* Turn the heat down as the reaction continues to avoid letting the solution boil over. | #* Turn the heat down as the reaction continues to avoid letting the solution boil over. | ||
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#* Keep an eye on the container as it continues. You can use the aluminum wire to lift the silver piece out of the solution and check the progress of the silver as it dissolves. | #* Keep an eye on the container as it continues. You can use the aluminum wire to lift the silver piece out of the solution and check the progress of the silver as it dissolves. | ||
#* When the silver fully dissolve, remove the container from the heat. | #* When the silver fully dissolve, remove the container from the heat. | ||
| − | #Let the solution stand until it completely evaporates. The final step requires patience because it will take a few days. As the solution cools, the silver nitrate will precipitate out of the solution and you will be able to see it at the bottom of the container. After a few days, the remaining solution will evaporate and you will be left with the silver nitrate crystals.<ref | + | #Let the solution stand until it completely evaporates. The final step requires patience because it will take a few days. As the solution cools, the silver nitrate will precipitate out of the solution and you will be able to see it at the bottom of the container. After a few days, the remaining solution will evaporate and you will be left with the silver nitrate crystals.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* The crystals formed are pure silver nitrate and should be stored in an air-tight container away from light. | #* The crystals formed are pure silver nitrate and should be stored in an air-tight container away from light. | ||
