precipitate

A precipitate is a solid that forms and separates from a liquid mixture during a chemical reaction. It occurs when two dissolved substances react and create an insoluble compound, which then settles out of the solution due to its inability to stay dissolved. This process is common in laboratories and industrial applications, helping to remove or isolate specific components from a mixture. Think of it like salt crystals forming and sinking out of salty water. The formation of a precipitate indicates a chemical change and is useful in identifying or purifying substances.