All books

Professional

Apps About Coach Log in Start reading

Chemistry · Glossary

What is Precipitate?

Also known as: precipitation

Definition 17.9 School Chemistry — Grades 1 to 12 · Chapter 17 — Ions and Ionic Solutions

When two solutions are mixed, a cation of one and an anion of the other may form an ionic compound that does not dissolve. It appears as a fine solid that clouds the liquid and settles: a precipitate. The reaction is a precipitation.

Precipitates formed with sodium hydroxide (first five tubes) and with silver nitrate (last tube).
Precipitates formed with sodium hydroxide (first five tubes) and with silver nitrate (last tube).

Examples

Example 17.11 (Writing a precipitation)

Only the ions that form the solid are written; the others stay dissolved and take no part:

CuX2+(aq)+2 OHX−(aq)→Cu(OH)X2(s),AgX+(aq)+ClX−(aq)→AgCl(s).\ce{Cu^{2+}(aq) + 2OH-(aq) -> Cu(OH)2(s)}, \qquad \ce{Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) -> AgCl(s)}.
Read in context →

Related terms