Practical: Prepare Copper(II) Sulfate (Edexcel IGCSE Science (Double Award))

Practical: Prepare Copper(II) Sulfate

Aim

To prepare a pure, dry sample of hydrated copper(II) sulfate crystals

Materials

• 1.0 mol / dm³ dilute sulfuric acid

• Copper(II) oxide

• Spatula & glass rod

• Measuring cylinder & 100 cm³ beaker

• Bunsen burner

• Tripod, gauze & heatproof mat

• Filter funnel & paper, conical flask

• Evaporating basin and dish.

Diagram

Preparation of a soluble salt from an insoluble base and acid

The preparation of copper(II) sulfate by the insoluble base method

Method

1. Add 50 cm³ dilute acid into a beaker and warm gently using a Bunsen burner

2. Add the copper(II) oxide slowly to the hot dilute acid and stir until the base is in excess (i.e. until the base stops dissolving and a suspension of the base forms in the acid)

3. Filter the mixture into an evaporating basin to remove the excess base

4. Gently heat the solution in a water bath or with an electric heater to evaporate the water and to make the solution saturated

5. Check the solution is saturated by dipping a cold glass rod into the solution and seeing if crystals form on the end

6. Leave the filtrate in a warm place to dry and crystallise

7. Decant excess solution and allow the crystals to dry

Practical Tip

• The base is added in excess to use up all of the acid, which would become dangerously concentrated during the evaporation and crystallisation stages

Results

• Hydrated copper(II) sulfate crystals should be bright blue and regularly shaped