Silver Oxalate Decomposition

Silver oxalate is a chemical compound with the formula Ag2C2O4. When heated, it undergoes decomposition into its constituent elements: silver metal, carbon dioxide gas, and carbon monoxide gas.

The decomposition reaction of silver oxalate can be represented by the following equation:

Ag2C2O4(s) → 2Ag(s) + CO2(g) + CO(g)

At high temperatures, the heat energy supplied to the silver oxalate causes the weak bond between the silver ions and oxalate ions to break. This results in the formation of silver metal atoms that combine to form small silver particles.

Meanwhile, the oxalate ions decompose into carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases. These gases are produced due to the oxidation of the carbon atoms in the oxalate ion by the oxygen atoms in the air.

The decomposition of silver oxalate is an example of thermal decomposition, where a compound breaks down into simpler substances due to the application of heat. This reaction is often used as a source of finely divided silver for use in various applications, such as catalysts, conductive inks, and photographic materials.