Here's why:
* Formation of a precipitate: The reaction produces a blue-green solid precipitate of copper carbonate (CuCO₃). This indicates the formation of a new substance, a key characteristic of a chemical reaction.
* Exchange of ions: Copper ions (Cu²⁺) from copper sulfate react with carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻) from sodium carbonate to form copper carbonate. This exchange of ions is a chemical change.
* Equation: The chemical reaction can be represented by the following equation:
CuSO₄(aq) + Na₂CO₃(aq) → CuCO₃(s) + Na₂SO₄(aq)
This equation shows the formation of a new solid product (CuCO₃) and a soluble sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in solution.
Therefore, mixing copper sulfate and sodium carbonate is a chemical reaction because it involves the formation of a new substance (copper carbonate) and the exchange of ions.
