Precipitation Reactions Lab
Mix ionic solutions and see whether a solid precipitate forms, using solubility rules.
About the Precipitation Reactions Lab
Free precipitation reaction lab. Pick two ionic solutions, mix them, and see whether an insoluble solid forms, with the balanced net ionic equation and solubility rules. Built for chemistry labs, the precipitation reactions lab runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Mix ionic solutions and see whether a solid precipitate forms, using solubility rules. Use it to explore chemistry labs ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Precipitation Reactions Lab
- Use the controls to change Solution 1 (metal nitrate), Solution 2 (sodium salt). The simulation reacts instantly.
- Press "Mix", "Reset" to start, reset or change what is happening.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Mix silver nitrate with sodium chloride.
- Try lead(II) nitrate with sodium sulfate.
- Find a combination with no reaction.
- Write the net ionic equation.
Key ideas you can learn
- A precipitate forms when two ions combine into an insoluble compound.
- Solubility rules tell you which combinations stay dissolved.
- The net ionic equation shows only the ions that actually form the solid.
Where this is used in the real world
Precipitation is used in water treatment, medicine (barium meals), pigments, and analysing which ions are in a sample.
Who is this simulation for?
Students preparing for practical exams and teachers who want a virtual lab. You can repeat the experiment without chemicals, waste or safety risks.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a precipitate?
An insoluble solid that forms when two solutions are mixed. It appears as cloudiness or solid settling out.
What are spectator ions?
Ions that stay dissolved and do not take part in forming the solid. They are left out of the net ionic equation.
Is the Precipitation Reactions Lab free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Precipitation Reactions Lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.