a) Write the balanced net-ionic equation for the reaction.

b) The mass of the Ni(s)decreases significantly as it sits in the AgNO3 solution. The student claims that the mass decreases because the atoms in Ni(s) lose electrons as the experiment progresses. Does the students claim completely explain the decrease in the mass of the Ni(s)? Justify your answer.

To further investigate the reactivity of silver, the student submerges a piece of metallic nickel, Ni(s), in a solution of AgNO3(aq) and observes that the following reaction occurs. Ni(s) + 2 AgNO3(aq) + 2 Ag(s) + Ni(NO3)2 (aq)