Final answer:
A supernatant liquid is the clear fluid remaining above a precipitate after a chemical reaction, not necessarily safe to drink, and is separated from the precipitate by methods like filtration.
Step-by-step explanation:
A supernatant liquid refers to the clear fluid that remains above a solid precipitate after a reaction has taken place in an aqueous solution. This occurs when certain cations and anions combine, forming an insoluble ionic solid or precipitate, which may settle at the bottom of the container. The supernatant liquid, therefore, can be described as the liquid remaining above a precipitate after a reaction. It is important to note that the supernatant may contain dissolved solutes and therefore should not be assumed to be safe to drink without further analysis. The process of separating a supernatant can involve filtration, decanting, or centrifuging.