Top Lab Hint Mixing the solutions out of order ruins the demonstration. Silver nitrate is expensive. The reactions may be accomplished with half of the recommended volumes in circumstances where all students will still be able to see clearly. You may wish to make a transparency of the equilibrium data handout and display on the overhead during the demonstration or during discussion after the demonstration. The sulfide fumes and ammonia fumes are toxic.
Silver nitrate causes black stains on skin.
Go to Top Precautions Store sulfide and ammonia solutions under hood until just before use. Make the sulfide solution fresh, and use only the amount required. Wash any silver spills immediately. Provide adequate ventilation. Go to Top Disposal Filter the silver sulfide keeping the solid and discarding filtrate with 20 volumes of water per volume of filtrate.