How do you extract silver from silver nitrate?

Answer 1

Dissolve the silver nitrate in water (a one molar solution [17 grams per litre of water] is best). There are two paths: pure metal substitution or complex ion replacement.

Pure metal: Place a more active metal (such as copper wire or aluminum foil) in the silver nitrate solution and let the oxidation-reduction reaction occur. The more active metal will replace the silver in solution, causing the silver to crystilize on the new material.

Complex ion replacement: Add ammonia to the silver nitrate solution in a 1:3 ratio. Stir until the precipitate redissolves. Add about 5 more millilitres of ammonia. This is known as the Tollen's Reagent. Add a dilute solution of glucose to the Tollen's Reagent and heat in a 70 degree celsius water bath. A mirror will form on the inside of whatever container you used (this can be scrapped off, and is slightly more pure than the metal replacement).

~James

Answer 2

To extract silver from silver nitrate, you can add a reducing agent like copper metal to the solution. The silver ions in the solution will be reduced by the copper metal, forming solid silver metal that can be filtered and collected. This method is a simple way to convert silver nitrate into pure silver.