Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Silver nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula AgNO3. It is an inorganic salt that is commonly used in laboratory settings and has antimicrobial properties.
Related terms
Ionic Compound: An ionic compound is a chemical compound composed of ions held together by electrostatic forces. In the case of silver nitrate, it consists of Ag+ (silver) cations and NO3- (nitrate) anions.
A precipitate refers to the solid formed when two aqueous solutions react and produce an insoluble product. In the reaction between silver nitrate and magnesium iodide, a precipitate forms.
Solubility rules are guidelines that determine whether or not a substance will dissolve in water. These rules are useful for predicting if a precipitate will form in a given reaction.