alleryStart learning →To predict a precipitation reaction, you identify the ions present and then consider whether:
AThe solution will change its colour
BThe mixture will get noticeably hot
COne reactant is present in excess
DA cation and anion pair is insoluble
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. A cation and anion pair is insoluble
1. A precipitate forms when two dissolved ions find each other and will not stay dissolved.
2. One merely needs to identify all the ions present in the solution.
3. Then consider if a possible cation and anion pairing could result in an insoluble compound.
4. If such a pairing exists, a precipitation reaction is predicted to occur.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 'Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions', sections 4.1-4.5_
Keep practising Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions
Browse all Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions questions for AP Chemistry, or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Match each equation type to its detailComplete the acid-base ruleTrue or false: writing equationsSort each reaction by its typeReactant or product?Reach the net ionic equationIn the reaction between sodium and chlorine, sodium is oxidised, which means chlorine:Ordering the three ways of writing a reaction from most to least detail about ions gives: