To simplify \( \sqrt{12} \), we can factor 12 into its prime factors:
\[ 12 = 4 \times 3 = 2^2 \times 3 \]
Using the property of square roots, we can separate the factors:
\[ \sqrt{12} = \sqrt{4 \times 3} = \sqrt{4} \times \sqrt{3} \]
Since \( \sqrt{4} = 2 \), this simplifies to:
\[ \sqrt{12} = 2 \sqrt{3} \]
Thus, the simplified form of \( \sqrt{12} \) is:
\[ 2\sqrt{3} \]