When a Piece of Copper Wire Is Placed in a Colorless

question 85

Multiple Choice

When a piece of copper wire is placed in a colorless solution of silver nitrate, the surface of the wire becomes coated with a shiny silvery material, and the copper begins to form aqueous copper(II) nitrate, which is blue. Which of the following statements regarding this reaction is correct?

• A)The copper(II)is being oxidized.
• B)The silver ion is being oxidized.
• C)The nitrate ion is being reduced.
• D)The solution will become more blue as the reaction progresses.
• E)The reaction described is nonspontaneous.

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Definitions:

Reactant Molecules

Substances that take part in a chemical reaction and are consumed to form products.

Transition State

A high-energy state during a chemical reaction where reactants are converted to products, representing a point of maximum energy along the reaction pathway.

Free Energy

A thermodynamic quantity that represents the amount of energy in a system that is available to do work at constant temperature and pressure.

Exergonic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy to the surroundings, often contributing to spontaneous processes, such as cellular respiration.