High School

The addition of hydrochloric acid to beakers containing solutions of either sodium chloride (NaCl) or silver nitrate (KNO\_3) causes a white precipitate in one of the beakers. Which beaker contains a precipitate?

1) Beaker containing sodium chloride (NaCl)

2) Beaker containing silver nitrate (KNO\_3)

3) Both beakers

4) Neither beaker

Answer :

Final answer:

A white precipitate forms in the beaker containing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) when hydrochloric acid is added due to the formation of silver chloride (AgCl), which is sparingly soluble. Hence the correct option would be option 2.

Explanation:

The beaker which causes a white precipitate to form upon the addition of hydrochloric acid contains silver nitrate (AgNO₃). This reaction is due to the formation of silver chloride (AgCl), which is sparingly soluble in water and precipitates out of the solution as a white solid. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is AgNO₃(aq) + HCl(aq) → AgCl(s)↓ + HNO₃(aq). Therefore, the correct answer is: 2) Beaker containing silver nitrate (KNO₃).