Final answer:
The statement is generally true; a precipitate is an insoluble ionic solid that results from a precipitation reaction where cations and anions react to form a new substance that does not dissolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False. Liquid precipitates when something is insoluble. This statement is generally true. In chemistry, a precipitate is defined as an insoluble ionic solid that forms when cations and anions in solution react and combine to produce a new substance that does not dissolve in the solvent, typically water. This process is known as a precipitation reaction.
Various factors such as temperature, concentration, and the nature of the ions involved determine if a precipitate will form. When a reaction occurs that leads to the formation of an insoluble product, the solid can often be seen settling at the bottom of the container or can be separated from the remaining solution, known as the supernate, by methods like filtration, centrifugation, or decanting.
Solubility rules help predict when a precipitate will form in a reaction. If a substance's concentration in solution exceeds its solubility, it will precipitate. To understand whether a particular ion will precipitate, one must consult the solubility rules, which categorize ions based on their ability to form solids in aqueous solutions. When referring to examples of precipitation reactions, one can look at the mixture of silver nitrate and potassium dichromate, where a reddish precipitate of silver dichromate can be visibly observed.