Fe is the chemical symbol for Iron. Hg(NO3)2 is the nitrate salt of Mercury(II). When iron reacts with the nitrate salt of mercury, the products formed are Fe(NO3)3 (Iron(III) nitrate) and mercury.
- Reaction conditions
This reaction usually occurs when iron and mercury nitrate are in a mild acidic environment, at room temperature.
- Reaction process
Iron reacts with mercury nitrate to form iron nitrate and mercury. This reaction is a redox reaction. Iron is oxidized from an oxidation state of +2 to +3, while mercury is reduced from an oxidation state of +2 to 0.
- Phenomena occurring
When the reaction occurs, we can see the phenomenon of iron gradually dissolving in the solution and producing solid mercury along with a brown-yellow solution.