Consider the reaction represented by the following equation: AgNO 3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO 3 . The steps that…

Analyze the question: When aqueous AgNO₃ reacts with aqueous NaCl, AgCl forms as an insoluble white precipitate, while NaNO₃ stays dissolved in the water. We need the steps to get pure, dry AgCl solid.

Concept: This is a precipitation reaction, so the separation method depends on solubility:

• AgCl is insoluble in water, so it is a solid precipitate.
• NaNO₃ is soluble, so it remains in solution (the filtrate).

Solution:

1. Filter the mixture. The AgCl stays on the filter paper as the residue, and the NaNO₃ solution passes through as the filtrate.
2. Wash the residue with distilled water. This removes any NaNO₃ solution still clinging to the AgCl, which makes it pure.
3. Dry the residue, in an oven or between filter papers, to get dry AgCl.

Checking the other options:

• A. Heating to saturation is used for obtaining crystals of a dissolved solute, not for separating a precipitate.
• B. Evaporating to dryness would leave NaNO₃ mixed in with the AgCl, so the sample would be impure.
• D. Crystallizing and cooling applies to soluble salts, not to an insoluble precipitate.

Answer: Option C, filtering, washing and drying.

Tip: For an insoluble solid mixed with a soluble one, remember F-W-D: Filter, Wash, Dry. Use evaporation or crystallization only to recover the soluble substance from the filtrate.