Effect of form of reagent on particle sizes of precipitates

The particle size of an ionic precipitate is much smaller when one of the reactants is introduced as a solid rather than as a solution The effect is enhanced as the particle size of the solid reagent is decreased. The presence of a freshly dissolved inert electrolyte also influences the particle size of a precipitate The affects are not attributable merely to the degree of supersaturation but rather to the provision by the freshly dissolved material of sites upon which nucleation can be induced.