This equation models how pure silver (Ag) is extracted from ores of AgK(CN)2 (potassium argentocyanide), which is mined from the earth. Zinc is a reactant in the equation, and it is needed in order to...

This equation models how pure silver (Ag) is extracted from ores of AgK(CN)2 (potassium

argentocyanide), which is mined from the earth. Zinc is a reactant in the equation, and it

is needed in order to extract the silver from the potassium argentocyanide ore.

2AgK(CN)2 (ag) + Zn(s) › 2 Ag(s) + n(CN)2 (ag) + 2KCN(ag)