A precipitate is an insoluble solid product formed from the mixing of two solutions.

Consider the reaction shown on the right. A white insoluble solid (precipitate) is formed when lead nitrate is mixed with sodium carbonate.

Now let's say we mixed two clear solutions of silver nitrate and sodium carbonate. How do we predict the name of the precipitate? Follow the steps listed below and shown in the animation on the right.

Step 1 Write the names of each solution
Step 2 Swap the first names
Step 3 Discard the name that contains any of the following
- sodium
- nitrate
- ammonium
- potassium.
Step 4 The remaining name is usually the precipitate.

Give the name and formula of the precipitate formed when the following solutions are mixed

Refer to the table of electrovalencies.

1) Lead nitrate ( Pb(NO₃)₂ and potassium dichromate ( K₂Cr₂O₄)

Solution

2) Barium chloride (BaCl₂) and potassium dichromate ( K₂Cr₂O₄)

Solution

3) Silver nitrate ( Ag(NO₃) and potassium dichromate ( K₂Cr₂O₄)

Solution

4) Lead nitrate ( Pb(NO₃)₂ and copper sulfate (CuSO₄)

Solution

5) Lead nitrate ( Pb(NO₃)₂ and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)

Solution

6) Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) + potassium iodide (KI)

Solution

7) Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) + potassium dichromate ( K₂Cr₂O₄)

Solution