The solid that forms and settles out of a solution during a reaction is called

• A. product
• B. precipitate
• C. reactant
• D. solid

Answer: (B)

This is about precipitation: when ions in a solution react to form an insoluble compound that falls out of the liquid. The solid that forms and settles from the solution is called a precipitate. It’s the visible solid produced in a reaction in which the product is not soluble and separates from the solution, leaving the remaining ions dissolved. For example, mixing solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chloride makes silver chloride, an insoluble solid that appears and settles while the other ions stay dissolved as sodium and nitrate. The term precipitate specifically names that solid phase separating from the liquid, separate from the initial reactants and any soluble products.