A precipitate is a solid formed in a chemical reaction that is different from either of the reactants. This can occur when solutions containing ionic compounds are mixed and an insoluble product is formed. The identity of the precipitate can often be determined by examining solubility rules.

What is the purpose of precipitate?

Precipitation often is used to remove metal ions from aqueous solutions: silver ions present in a solution of a soluble salt, such as silver nitrate, are precipitated by addition of chloride ions, provided, for example, by a solution of sodium chloride; the chloride ions and the silver ions combine to form silver ...

What does it mean to precipitate in chemistry?

Definition of precipitate (Entry 2 of 3) 1 : a substance separated from a solution or suspension by chemical or physical change usually as an insoluble amorphous or crystalline solid. 2 : a product, result, or outcome of some process or action. precipitate. adjective.