Explain what happens when copper(II) sulfate, CuSO 4, an ionic compound, dissolves in water.
2007-04-08 15:04:11 · 2 answers · asked by WellIcould N 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
When copper(II) sulfate is dissolved in water, it disassociates. Meaning it breaks up into it's ions.
CuSO4 ---> Cu2+ + (SO4)2-
So the solution contains Cu2+ ions and (SO4)2- ions.
2007-04-08 16:21:22 · answer #1 · answered by Nat X 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The copper detaches from the sulfate and you get two ions in the water. The copper cation becomes surrounded by the negative ends of the water molecule and the sulfate anion becomes surrounded by the positive ends of the water molecule. Because water is a polar covalent molecule (meaning it has a positive end and a negative end) it is a solvent for most salts.
2007-04-08 23:19:15 · answer #2 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋