A reaction — and some magic
Last week we showed how elemental sodium will oxidize into a sodium ion and dissolve in water.
Today we did the opposite by observing a precipitation reaction.
Watching the magic happen …
We combined silver nitrate with sodium chloride (table salt) in a double replacement reaction that formed silver chloride, which is insoluble in water and so a solid will "magically" appear. The silver chloride oxidized a bit so we produce some elemental silver which the students liked!