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Precipitation is the formation of a solid in a solution during a chemical reaction. When the chemical reaction occurs the solid formed is called the precipitate. This can occur when an insoluble substance, the precipitate, is formed in the solution due to a reaction or when the solution has been supersaturated by a compound. The formation of a precipitate is a sign of a chemical change. In most situations, the solid forms ("falls") out of the solute phase, and sinks to the bottom of the solution (though it will float if it is less dense than the solvent, or form a suspension).