Why is the silver nitrate test considered to be the specific test for the halogens?

Question

Can I add this up please?? Thanks!! What is the equations involved in the silver nitrate (AgNO3) test? Thanks a LoT!!! :)

Answer 1

This is because a compound of silver with any halogen is definitely insoluble in water. This is the ONLY compound of silver that gives such a result, and it can be immediately concluded that halogen(s) are present in the unknown reactant. Also, the other product of the reaction is a nitrate, which is soluble in water and will not affect the results.

This is why it is the specific test for the halogens.

FYI, silver chloride gives white, silver bromide gives yellow-white, and silver iodide gives yellow. The colour intensity increases down the group.

Taking Y to be a halide and X to be a positive ion,
AgNO3 (aq) + XY (aq) --> AgY (s) + XNO3 (aq)

Thus it can be seen very clearly that the precipitate formed contains a halogen.

Answer 2

Halogens usually yields strong acids and the salts of metals with these acids are soluble in water. But acids derived from halogens and silver are not soluble in water.this is specific for salts halogen-silver

Answer 3

It forms a white precip with halogens (each a slightly different shade)

makes Ag X where X is holgen