What happens when silver nitrate solution is added to sodium chloride solution?

When silver nitrate (AgNO3) reacts with sodium chloride (NaCl), the following reaction takes place:

`AgNO_3 (aq) + NaCl(aq) -> NaNO_3 (aq) + AgCl (s)`

In this reaction, the cations, silver (Ag+) and sodium (Na+), exchange their anions, nitrate (NO3-) and chloride (Cl-). For example, silver nitrate is a reactant and is made up of silver and nitrate ions. However, during the reaction, sodium ion forms a bond with the nitrate ion and sodium nitrate is formed. Similarly, silver ion reacts with chloride ion and forms silver chloride. Thus, this reaction yields silver chloride and sodium nitrate. Thus, a double displacement reaction takes place. 

The reactants, silver nitrate and sodium chloride are both very soluble in water. In comparison, among the products, only sodium nitrate is soluble in water, while silver chloride is not. Silver chloride will precipitate out as a white solid and we obtain a milky white suspension as the product.