* Cu: This stands for copper, a transition metal.
* S: This stands for sulfur, a nonmetal.
* O₄: This represents four oxygen atoms.
In simpler terms:
Copper(II) sulfate is formed when copper ions (Cu²⁺) bond with sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻). This is an ionic compound, meaning it's formed through the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions.