Examples of Precipitation Reactions
- Silver Nitrate and Sodium Chloride:
When silver nitrate (AgNO3) is mixed with sodium chloride (NaCl), a white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl) is formed.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3
- Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate:
When barium chloride (BaCl2) is mixed with sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), a white precipitate of barium sulfate (BaSO4) is formed.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
BaCl2 + Na2SO4 → BaSO4 + 2NaCl
- Lead(II) Nitrate and Potassium Iodide:
When lead(II) nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) is mixed with potassium iodide (KI), a yellow precipitate of lead(II) iodide (PbI2) is formed.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI → PbI2 + 2KNO3
- Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate:
When calcium chloride (CaCl2) is mixed with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), a white precipitate of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is formed.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
CaCl2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2NaCl
- Iron(III) Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide:
When iron(III) chloride (FeCl3) is mixed with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is formed.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
FeCl3 + 3NaOH → Fe(OH)3 + 3NaCl
In precipitation reactions, insoluble solid compounds are formed when two solutions are mixed. These reactions occur when two soluble salts react to form an insoluble product, which falls out of solution as a solid precipitate. The balanced chemical equations for each reaction show the conservation of mass and charge.