Silver nitrate solution and dilute nitric acid can be used to test for halide ions. What will be produced if halide ions are present?

When a solution of silver nitrate and dilute nitric acid is added to a solution containing halide ions, a precipitation reaction occurs. The halide ions react with the silver ions to form a precipitate of silver halides. The type of silver halide precipitate formed (silver chloride, silver bromide, or silver iodide) depends on the type of halide ion present.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Add a few drops of silver nitrate solution to the test solution.
2. Then add a few drops of dilute nitric acid.
3. Observe the reaction. If a precipitate forms, halide ions are present.

The color of the precipitate can also give you a clue about which halide ion is present:

• A white precipitate indicates the presence of chloride ions, forming silver chloride.
• A cream precipitate indicates the presence of bromide ions, forming silver bromide.
• A yellow precipitate indicates the presence of iodide ions, forming silver iodide.