When copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are heated together, they undergo a double displacement reaction to form copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂), a blue precipitate, and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in solution. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

CuSO₄(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)₂(s) + Na₂SO₄(aq)

Here's a breakdown of the reaction:

* Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) is a blue crystalline solid that is soluble in water.

* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a white solid that is also soluble in water.

* Copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂) is a blue solid that is insoluble in water and forms a precipitate (solid that settles out of the solution).

* Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) is a colorless solid that is soluble in water and remains dissolved in the solution.

Here's what happens step by step:

1. Mixing: When you mix copper sulfate and sodium hydroxide solutions, the copper ions (Cu²⁺) from the copper sulfate react with the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the sodium hydroxide.

2. Precipitation: The copper ions and hydroxide ions combine to form copper hydroxide, which is insoluble in water and precipitates out of the solution as a blue solid.

3. Formation of Sodium Sulfate: The sodium ions (Na⁺) from the sodium hydroxide and the sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) from the copper sulfate remain in solution and form sodium sulfate, which is soluble in water.

4. Heating: Heating the mixture speeds up the reaction, causing the copper hydroxide precipitate to form faster and potentially making it more visible.

Note: It's important to note that heating copper hydroxide can lead to its decomposition into copper oxide (CuO) and water (H₂O):

Cu(OH)₂(s) → CuO(s) + H₂O(g)

This decomposition reaction might occur if the temperature is high enough.

Let me know if you have any other questions!