# Red Cat | Oil Rig (DD-344)

> When copper metal is placed in silver nitrate solution, copper atoms lose electrons and enter solution as copper(II) ions, turning it blue, while silver ions gain electrons and deposit as solid silver crystals. It is a single-displacement redox reaction. The title combines two mnemonics: "red cat" (reduction at the cathode) and "OIL RIG" (oxidation is loss, reduction is gain). The footage shows silver crystals growing on a copper coil.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2024-10-14
- Last updated: 2024-10-14
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/red-cat-oil-rig/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-344-F01**: Copper loses electrons. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Oxidation))_
- **DD-344-F02**: Silver ions gain electrons. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Reduction))_

## Write-up

Copper wire in silver nitrate grows a coat of silver crystals. The solution slowly turns blue.

1. **Oxidation**: Copper loses electrons.
2. **Reduction**: Silver ions gain electrons.
3. **Displacement**: Copper displaces silver.
4. **Color**: Copper(II) ions turn it blue.
5. **Mnemonic**: OIL RIG: oxidation is loss, reduction is gain.

## Related case files

- [Blue/Green (DD-361)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/blue-green/): I linked more color-change chemistry

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Red Cat | Oil Rig: Copper Wire in Silver Nitrate Grows a Coat of Silver Crystals

- Duration: 23.6 s · Published: 2024-10-14
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DBIHjbGppPV.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, in the reduction oxidation or redox reaction between copper and silver nitrate, copper metal reacts with silver nitrate solution to produce copper II nitrate and solid silver. Copper loses electrons and is oxidized to form copper II plus ions, while silver ions in the silver nitrate are reduced, as they gain electrons to form solid silver. This reaction showcases a single displacement where copper displaces silver from the solution. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is oxidized?**  
A: Loses electrons. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Oxidation) · Wikipedia: Redox)_

**Q: What forms on the wire?**  
A: Crystals. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Reduction) · Wikipedia: Redox)_

**Q: What color does the solution turn?**  
A: Copper ions. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Displacement) · Wikipedia: Redox)_

**Q: What does OIL RIG stand for?**  
A: Electrons. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Color) · Wikipedia: Silver nitrate)_

**Q: What type of reaction?**  
A: Redox. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Mnemonic) · Wikipedia: Redox)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Redox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox)
- [Wikipedia: Silver nitrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_nitrate)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Red Cat | Oil Rig." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-344, last updated Oct 14, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/red-cat-oil-rig/