Silver Sulfate Formula is the formula for a very common compound that is used in our daily life Silver Sulfate. Silver sulfate contains Silver which is a chemical element with the symbol Ag. Its atomic number is 47. It belongs to the 11th group and 5th period of the periodic table. It is a soft white lustrous metal. It has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S. Its atomic number is 16. It is odorless, tasteless, and light yellow solid. It is abundant, multivalent, and nonmetallic. It belongs to the oxygen group. Antoine Lavoisier introduced sulfur as an element in 1777. Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O. Its atomic number is 8. It is at a gaseous state at room temperature and has no color, smell, or taste.
Silver Sulfate
Silver sulfate is an inorganic compound whose formula is Ag2SO4. It is a solid compound that has low solubility in water. It is the colorless compound mainly used in the silver plating of articles. It is a weak oxidizing agent. Silver Sulfate contains silver, Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag. Its atomic number is 47. It belongs to the 11th group and 5th period of the periodic table. It has a 1+ ionic charge. For sulfate is an atomic ion with -2 charge SO42-. So Ag+ and SO42- reacts to form the ionic compound Silver Sulfate Ag2SO4.
Structure Of Silver Sulfate
Silver Sulfate structural formula is shown in the following figure. It is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with silver nitrate. During the reaction, an Ag+ ion is formed and hence two equivalent silver ions will give rise to a neutral salt along with one equivalent sulfate ion. Silver sulfate is held together by ionic bonds.
Silver Sulfate
Preparation Of Silver Sulfate
- Silver sulfate prepared from the reaction between sulfuric acid and silver nitrate
AgNO3 + H2SO4 —-> Ag2SO4 + 2 HNO
- Silver reacts with sulfuric acid to produce silver sulfate and sulfur dioxide
2 Ag + 2 H2SO4 —> Ag2SO4 +SO2 + 2 H2O
- Sodium sulfate reacts with silver nitrate to form silver sulfate
Na2SO4 + 2 AgNO3 —> 2 NaNO3 + Ag2SO4
- Silver Nitrate reacts with zinc sulfate to produce Silver Sulfate and zinc nitrate
2 AgNO3 + ZnSO4 —> Zn(NO) + Ag2SO4
Physical Properties of Silver Sulfate
- Silver Sulfate molecular weight is 311.792 g/mol
- Its density is 5.45 g/cm3
- Its boiling point is 1085οC
- Its melting point is 652.2-660οC
Chemical Properties Of Silver Sulfate
- The chemical formula of silver sulfate is Ag2SO4
- Silver Sulfate reacts with sodium chloride to form silver chloride and sodium sulfate
Ag2SO4 + 2 NaCl ⇢ Na2SO4 + 2 AgCl
- Nitric acid reacts with Silver Sulfate to form sulfuric acid and silver nitrate
2 HNO3 + Ag2SO4 ⇢ H2SO4 + 2 AgNO3
- Silver Sulfate reacts with sodium bromide to produce sodium sulfate and silver bromide
2 NaBr + Ag2SO4 —> Na2SO4 + 2 AgBr
- Copper reacts with Silver Sulfate to form copper sulfate and silver
Cu + Ag2SO4 ——-> CuSO4 + 2 Ag
- Silver Sulfate reacts with potassium chloride to form potassium sulfate
2 KCl + Ag2SO4 —–> K2SO4 + 2 AgCl
Health Effects Of Silver Sulfate
- Silver sulfate can cause serious damage to the eyes.
- It can irritate the respiratory system.
- It can cause diarrhea.
- It can cause nausea and vomiting.
- On contact with human skin, it can cause inflammation of the skin.
- Long-term exposure may cause changes in the proper functioning of the lungs.
Safety Measures for using Silver Sulfate
- Read all the instructions on the box before using it.
- Avoid breathing its dust and contact with skin and eyes.
- Wash your eyes and skin with fresh water after handling it.
- Avoid contact by wearing protective clothing and gloves.
- Use it in well-ventilated areas.
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling it.
- Store in original containers and keep it with a tight seal.
Uses Of Silver Sulfate
- Silver Sulfate is used in medicine as an antimicrobial agent
- It is commonly used in silver plating
- It is used in creams to treat wound infections
- It is used as an antibiotic
FAQs on Silver Sulfate
Question 1: Is silver sulfate a salt?
Answer:
Silver sulfate is an inorganic compound with the formula Ag2SO4. It is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with silver nitrate. It is a white solid with low solubility in water.
2 AgNO3 + H2SO4 —> Ag2SO4 + 2HNO
During the reaction, an Ag+ ion is formed. These silver ions will give rise to a neutral salt along with one sulfate ion.
Question 2: Is Silver Sulfate acidic salt or basic salt?
Answer:
Silver sulfate is an inorganic compound with the formula Ag2SO4. It has weak oxidizing powers. It is formed when sulfuric acid reacts with silver nitrate. It is a white solid with low solubility in water. Its solutions are usually neutral i.e. neither strongly acidic nor strongly basic.
Question 3: What are the uses of Silver?
Answer:
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag. It is used in solar technology, electronics, soldering, and also used in water purification. Silver is used in the production of electronic devices such as smartphones. It is used as Jewellery and silverware. It is the most reflecting metal and it has the highest thermal conductivity of any element this makes silver very useful in electronics. It is much cheaper than gold
Question 4: What is Silver Sulfate used for?
Answer:
Silver sulfate is an inorganic compound. It has a weak oxidizing power. Silver sulfadiazine cream is used to prevent and treat wound infections. It is used as an antibiotic. Silver Sulfate is commonly used in silver plating.
Question 5: What are the uses of Sulfur?
Answer:
Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S. It is mostly used in the production of Sulfuric Acid. It is used in the vulcanization process. Sulfuric acid is used as an electrolyte in the making of batteries and also sulfur is used in fertilizers, oil refining, and mineral extraction.
Question 6: Does silver sulfate react with ammonium chloride?
Answer:
Silver Sulfate is an inorganic compound with the formula Ag2SO4. Silver sulfate reacts with Ammonium Chloride then it produces Silver Chloride and Ammonium tetraoxosulfate
2 NH4Cl + Ag2SO4 ⇢2 AgCl +(NH4)2SO4