Coprecipitate

/koʊˌprɪˈsɪpɪˌteɪt/ verb

Definition

In chemistry, to precipitate together simultaneously; when two or more substances form solid particles and separate from solution at the same time.

Etymology

From co- (together, from Latin) plus precipitate (from Latin praeceps meaning 'headlong'), a modern scientific term created in the 1800s as chemists needed vocabulary to describe complex reactions.

Kelly Says

Coprecipitation is crucial in water treatment and mineral processing—when you need to remove harmful substances from water, sometimes they coprecipitate with harmless materials, allowing you to clean them both at once!

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