What happens when a strip of zinc is placed in a silver nitrate

When a strip of zinc is placed in a silver nitrate solution, a single displacement reaction occurs. The more reactive zinc displaces the less reactive silver from the silver nitrate solution, forming zinc nitrate and silver metal.

The chemical equation for this reaction is:

Zn(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) -> Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)

The silver metal will form as a precipitate, which will appear as a grayish-black solid settling at the bottom of the solution. The zinc will dissolve into the solution, forming zinc nitrate.

Overall, the reaction results in the deposition of silver metal onto the zinc strip, causing it to lose its silver nitrate solution and acquire a silver coating. This process is often used to create silver-plated items.