Demonstration 3: Formation of a Precipitate

Materials

● Beaker, 250-mL
● 0.1 M Lead nitrate, Pb(NO 3 ) 2 , 50 mL [Dissolve 1.7 g Pb(NO 3 ) 2 in distilled
H 2 O and dilute to 50 mL]
● 0.1 M Potassium iodide, KI, 50 mL [Dissolve 1 g KI in distilled H 2 O and
dilute to 50 mL]

Safety

Properly dispose of the lead compound formed.

The Demonstration

Simultaneously pour the two solutions into the beaker. The brilliant yellow precipitate
lead iodide, PbI 2 , forms. Students should recognize that a chemical reaction has
occurred.

Pb(NO 3 ) 2 (aq) + 2KI(aq) ---> PbI 2 (s) + 2KNO 3 (aq)