A precipitation reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs in aqueous solutions where two soluble salts react to form an insoluble solid, known as the precipitate. The abbreviation that denotes the physical state of the precipitate in the chemical equation is (s), which stands for solid.
When writing the chemical equation for such a reaction, you identify the reactants and the products in their respective physical states. Typically, the reactants are in aqueous solution, denoted by (aq), and they react to form the products, one of which is the insoluble solid or precipitate (s).
For example, if soluble salts A and B react to form an insoluble product C:
[tex]\[ A(aq) + B(aq) \rightarrow C(s) + D(aq) \][/tex]
In this equation:
- [tex]\(A(aq)\)[/tex] and [tex]\(B(aq)\)[/tex] are the reactants in aqueous solution.
- [tex]\(C(s)\)[/tex] is the precipitate formed in the reaction, in solid state.
- [tex]\(D(aq)\)[/tex] is another product that remains in aqueous solution.
Thus, the correct abbreviation indicating the physical state of the precipitate is (s).
