What is the Difference Between Supernatant and Precipitate?

The key difference between supernatant and precipitate lies in their forms. A supernatant is the liquid portion of a solution that forms above solid material, while a precipitate is the solid component that occurs beneath the liquid part of a solution.

Supernatant:

• Formed above solid material in a solution.
• May or may not be clear, depending on the components present in the solution.
• Often formed when a solution is spun in a centrifuge.
• Examples include the plasma of blood and the clear component of urine.

Precipitate:

• Solid component that forms in a solution.
• Occurs beneath the liquid part of a solution.
• Can be separated from the reaction mixture using filtration, decantation, and centrifugation.
• Examples include sodium chloride precipitating out in water when the solution has more of the salt than water, and DNA and other cellular components precipitating out after centrifugation.

In summary, a supernatant is a liquid that forms above solid material, while a precipitate is a solid component that forms in a solution.

Comparative Table: Supernatant vs Precipitate

Here is a table highlighting the differences between supernatant and precipitate:

In summary, supernatant is the liquid portion that remains above the solid sediment or precipitate, while precipitate is the insoluble solid material formed during a chemical reaction. Supernatant is in liquid form, whereas precipitate is in solid form.