Final answer:
Precipitation gravimetry is applied in determining the moisture content of samples, treating wastewater, testing for specific elements such as lead, and in desalination processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Precipitation gravimetry is a method used in quantitative chemical analysis and has several real-world applications. One common example is the determination of the moisture content of a sample by measuring its mass before and after drying, which involves a controlled heating process to evaporate the water. Additionally, precipitation gravimetry is used in wastewater treatment, where selective precipitation helps remove contaminants, such as phosphate ions, from water to prevent environmental damage. In industrial chemistry, it is used to test for the presence of certain elements like lead by observing precipitate formation when specific chemicals are added to a solution.
A classic laboratory example of a precipitation reaction is the mixing of solutions of potassium iodide and lead nitrate, resulting in the formation of solid lead iodide. This concept is not just limited to the lab but also forms the basis of processes like desalination, where certain salts are removed from seawater through precipitation to make the water potable.