Copper & Silver Nitrate: Applying to Daily Life

[bellabelle]

Homework Statement

In my Chemistry lab, we made silver using copper and silver nitrate. We put a solution of silver nitrate, distilled water, and copper wire in a test tube and observed it. Then we took the copper out (the solution turned blue and the copper had crystals formed on it but we shook them off before removing the copper). We pour the solution through a funnel where the blue solution went through into a beaker and the silver that formed was caught on paper. I need to know how this could apply to daily life.

Homework Equations

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The Attempt at a Solution

I know of an example where the grass would be copper, rain is the solution, and the dew which forms on the grass is the silver but I do not understand it. If you do and would like to explain it to me that would be great or if you have a different example, that would be great as well. Thank you!

 

[chemisttree]

Sounds like a way to purify silver using copper wire.