What type of change occurs with the formation of a precipitate?

The formation of a precipitate is indicative of a chemical change. This occurs when two or more substances react to form a new substance that is not soluble in the reaction mixture, resulting in the creation of a solid that separates from the liquid. This is a hallmark of a chemical reaction as it involves the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, leading to the formation of new substances with different properties than the original reactants.

In contrast, physical changes involve alterations in states of matter or physical appearance without changing the chemical composition of the substance, such as melting or freezing. Similarly, nuclear changes involve transformations at the atomic level that affect the nucleus of an atom, which is not applicable in the case of precipitate formation. Lastly, phase changes specifically refer to transitions between solid, liquid, and gas states without a change in chemical structure, such as water turning into ice. Therefore, the formation of a precipitate is best categorized as a chemical change.