When copper metal is mixed with silver nitrate solution, is the observed change a chemical or physical change?

• A. Both chemical and physical change
• B. Physical change
• C. Chemical change
• D. No change occurs

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions: A physical change involves a change in the state or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition, while a chemical change results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.
2. Identify the substances involved: Copper metal (Cu) and silver nitrate solution (AgNO\_3) are mixed together.
3. Consider the reaction: Copper can displace silver from silver nitrate because copper is more reactive than silver. This leads to the formation of copper nitrate (Cu(NO\_3)\_2) in solution and solid silver (Ag) deposits.
4. Recognize that the formation of new substances (copper nitrate and silver metal) indicates a chemical change has occurred, not just a physical change.
5. Conclude that the observed change is a chemical change because new substances with different properties are produced during the reaction.