Write the balanced molecular and net ionic equations for the reaction between aluminum metal and silver nitrate. identify the oxidation and reduction half-reactions.

Well in this case, silver nitrate is reduced:

Ag + + e - → Ag (s) ↓

Meanwhile, the aluminum is oxidized forming a positive ion:

Al (s) → Al 3 + + 3 e-

To get the overall reaction, we add the half equations so that the electrons are eliminated:

Al (s) + 3 Ag + → Al 3 + + 3 Ag (s)

And similarly:

Al (s) + 3 AgNO3 (aq) → Al (NO3) 3 (aq) + 3 Ag (s)