Question

What do you understand by precipitation reaction? Explain with examples.

What do you understand by the term precipitation?

Answer 1

Precipitation reactions occur when cations and anions in aqueous solution combine to form an insoluble ionic solid called a precipitate.  A precipitate is a solid that forms out of solution.

A common example is that of the mixing of two clear solutions: Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and sodium chloride (NaCl)

\[\ce{AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) -> AgCl(s) ↓ + NaNO3(aq)}\]

The precipitate forms because the solid (AgCl) is insoluble in water.