precipitable
Definition
Adjective - Capable of being precipitated: "precipitable" refers to a substance that can be made to separate from a solution or suspension, typically as a solid, through a chemical or physical process such as cooling, evaporation, or the addition of a reagent.
Usage Examples
- (The salt can be made to separate out as a solid when the solution cools.)
- (Metal ions can be forced to form a solid deposit through chemical reaction.)
- (Only some dissolved substances can be made to settle out as a solid.)
Advanced Usage
- "precipitable water": In meteorology, this term refers to the total amount of water vapor in a vertical column of the atmosphere, expressed as the depth of liquid water that would result if all the vapor were condensed and precipitated.
- The forecast indicated high levels of precipitable water, suggesting heavy rainfall. (The atmosphere contained a large amount of vapor that could turn into rain.)
- "precipitable solid": In chemistry, a solid that can be formed through a precipitation reaction.
- Barium sulfate is a common precipitable solid used in laboratory tests. (Barium sulfate is a solid that can be produced by precipitation.)
Variants and Related Words
- Precipitate (verb): to cause a substance to separate from a solution as a solid.
- Adding acid will precipitate the calcium from the solution. (Acid causes the calcium to form a solid.)
- Precipitation (noun): the process of forming a solid from a solution, or the solid itself.
- The precipitation of silver chloride was observed in the test tube. (The formation of solid silver chloride occurred.)
- Precipitant (noun): a chemical agent that causes precipitation.
- Ammonium hydroxide is a common precipitant for iron ions. (Ammonium hydroxide triggers the precipitation of iron.)
Synonyms
- Settlable: capable of sinking to the bottom of a liquid (often used for particles in suspension).
- Separable: able to be removed from a mixture (more general term).
Related Idioms
- "To precipitate a crisis": To cause a sudden or unexpected event (related to the verb "precipitate," not the adjective "precipitable").
- His rash decision precipitated a crisis in the company. (His decision triggered a sudden problem.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Precipitate out: to separate from a solution as a solid.
- The crystals precipitated out of the liquid as it cooled. (The crystals formed and settled out.)