Liesegang Rings - Silver Nitrate Potassium Dichromate Reaction

Silver Nitrate Potassium Dichromate Reaction

The reactions are most usually carried out in test-tubes into which a gel is formed that contains a dilute solution of one of the reactants.

If a hot solution of agar gel, also containing a dilute solution of potassium dichromate is poured in a test-tube, and after the gel solidifies, a more concentrated solution of silver nitrate is poured on top of the gel, the silver nitrate will begin to diffuse into the gel. It will then encounter the potassium dichromate and will form a continuous region of precipitate at the top of the tube.

After some hours, the continuous region of precipitation is followed by a clear region with no sensible precipitate, followed by a short region of precipitate further down the tube. This process continues down the tube forming several, perhaps a couple of dozen regions of clearing, then precipitation rings.