What type of reaction is characterized by the formation of a precipitate?

The type of reaction characterized by the formation of a precipitate is a double displacement reaction. In this type of reaction, two compounds exchange ions or elements to form new compounds. Often, when these compounds react in solution, one of the products is insoluble in water, leading to the formation of a solid precipitate that separates from the solution.

For instance, when solutions containing barium chloride and sodium sulfate are mixed, barium sulfate precipitates out of the solution, illustrating the double displacement mechanism. This reaction is significant as it is used in various applications, including analytical chemistry to identify the presence of specific ions through precipitate formation.