A student plans a method to prepare pure crystals of copper sulfate - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
A student plans a method to prepare pure crystals of copper sulfate.
The student's method is:
1. Add one spatula of calcium carbonate to dilute hydrochloric acid i... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student plans a method to prepare pure crystals of copper sulfate - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Use sulfuric acid not hydrochloric acid
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Answer
The student should use sulfuric acid instead of hydrochloric acid, as this is necessary to react with copper carbonate to produce copper sulfate.
Step 2
Use the correct copper compound
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Answer
The student should use copper oxide or copper carbonate instead of calcium carbonate. This is essential for the reaction to produce copper sulfate.
Step 3
Add solid until no more reacts
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The student needs to add copper oxide or carbonate until no more of the solid dissolves, ensuring that the solution is saturated with copper sulfate.
Step 4
Filter excess solid
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The excess undissolved copper compound should be filtered out after the reaction is complete to obtain a clear solution of copper sulfate.
Step 5
Evaporate gently
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Gently heat the filtered solution until water evaporates, allowing pure copper sulfate crystals to form as the solution cools.
Step 6
Leave to crystallize
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Leave the solution to cool and crystallize further, ensuring that larger crystals of copper sulfate are formed.
