Precipitation (chemistry)
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2008-06-26T13:32:22Z
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[[Image:Chemical precipitation diagram.png|thumb|right|Chemical Precipitation]]
{{redirect|Precipitate|the album by Interpol|Precipitate EP}}
'''Precipitation''' is the formation of a [[solid]] in a [[solution]] during a [[chemical reaction]]. When the reaction occurs, the solid formed is called the '''precipitate''', and the liquid remaining above the solid is called the '''supernate'''.
== Uses of precipitation reactions ==
Precipitation reactions can be used for making [[pigments]], removing [[salts]] from water in [[water treatment]], and for qualitative [[chemical analysis]].
This effect is useful in many [[industrial]] and [[scientific]] applications whereby a chemical reaction may produce a solid that can be collected from the solution by various methods (e.g. [[filtration]], [[decanting]], [[centrifugation]]). Precipitation from a [[solid solution]] is also a useful way to [[precipitation strengthening|strengthen]] [[alloy]]s; this process is known as [[solid solution strengthening]].
== Mechanism ==
Precipitation can occur when an [[solubility|insoluble]] substance is formed in the [[solution (chemistry)|solution]] due to a [[chemical reaction]] or when the solution has been [[supersaturated]] by a [[compound (chemistry)|compound]]. The formation of a precipitate is a sign of a [[chemical change]]. In most situations, the solid forms ("falls") out of the solute phase, and sinks to the bottom of the solution (though it will float if it is less dense than the solvent, or form a [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]]).
The solid may reach the bottom of a container by means of [[settling]], [[sediment]]ation, or [[centrifugation]].
An important stage of the precipitation process is the onset of [[nucleation]]. The creation of a hypothetical solid [[particle]] includes the formation of an [[interface (chemistry)|interface]], which requires some [[energy (chemistry)|energy]] based on the relative [[surface energy]] of the solid and the solution. If this energy is not available, and no suitable nucleation surface is available, [[supersaturation]] occurs.
== Representation using chemical equations ==
An example of a precipitation reaction: Aqueous [[silver nitrate]] (AgNO<sub>3</sub>) is added to a solution containing [[potassium chloride]] (KCl) and the precipitation of a white solid, [[silver chloride]] is observed. (Zumdahl, 2005)
:AgNO<sub>3</sub> (aq) + KCl (aq) → AgCl (s) + KNO<sub>3</sub> (aq)
The silver chloride(AgCl) has formed a solid, which is observed as a precipitate.
This reaction can be written emphasizing the [[dissociation|dissociated]] [[ions]] in a combined solution. This is known as the [[ionic equation]].
:Ag<sup>+</sup> (aq) + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> (aq) + K<sup>+</sup> (aq) + Cl<sup>-</sup> (aq) → AgCl (s) + K<sup>+</sup> (aq) + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> (aq)
A final way to represent a precipitate reaction is known as a ''net ionic reaction''. In this case, any [[spectator ions]] (those which do not contribute to the reaction) are left out of the formula completely. This simplifies the above equations to the following:
:Ag<sup>+</sup> (aq) + Cl<sup>-</sup> (aq) → AgCl (s)
==Cation sensitivity==
Precipitate formation is useful in the detection of the type of [[cation]] in [[salt]]. To do this, an [[alkali]] first reacts with the unknown salt to produce a precipitate which is the [[hydroxide]] of the unknown salt. To identify the cation, the color of the precipitate and its solubility in excess are noted. Similar processes are often used to separate chemically similar elements, such as the [[Alkali earth metals]].
==Digestion==
Digestion, or ''precipitate ageing'', happens when a freshly-formed precipitate is left, usually at a higher [[temperature]], in the solution from which it is precipitated. It results in cleaner and bigger particles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktf-split.hr/glossary/en_o.php?def=digestion |title=Chemical dictionary definition |accessdate=2008-02-26}}</ref> The physico-chemical process underlying digestion is called [[Ostwald ripening]].
==Coprecipitation==
{{main|coprecipitation}}
Coprecipitation is the carrying down by a precipitate of substances normally soluble under the conditions employed. It is an important issue in chemical analysis, where it is often undesirable, but in some cases it can be exploited. In [[gravimetric analysis]], it is a problem because undesired impurities often coprecipitate with the analyte, resulting in excess mass. On the other hand, in the analysis of trace elements, as is often the case in [[radiochemistry]], coprecipitation is often the only way of separating an element.
==References==
*Zumdahl, Steven S. ''Chemical Principles.'' 4<sup>th</sup> ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.
*Mark Smith ''Principles of Science'' 1993
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{{refimprove|date=February 2008}}
==Further reading==
*Banert, T., Brenner, G., Peuker, U. A. (2006), Operating parameters of a continuous sono-chemical precipitation reactor, Proc. 5. WCPT, Orlando Fl., 23.-27. April 2006.
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Solid precipitation}}
* [http://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonics/precipitation_01.htm Continuous Precipitation Using Ultrasonication (e.g. for nano-size magnetite particles)]
* http://www.answers.com/supernatant
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