Precipitates

Definition

When an insoluble solid forms during a chemical reaction between two solutions, it is called precipitation. In other words, it's when a solid "falls out" or separates from a solution.

Related terms

Solubility Rules:

A set of guidelines used to predict whether or not an ionic compound will dissolve in water and form a precipitate.

Net Ionic Equation:

An equation that only includes the species involved in a chemical reaction and excludes spectator ions.

Double Replacement Reaction:

A type of chemical reaction where cations and anions switch partners between two compounds resulting in new products.