* Dehydration: The process involves removing water molecules (H₂O) from the copper sulfate pentahydrate crystal structure. This is a chemical change because you are altering the composition of the substance.
* Change in Properties: The blue copper sulfate pentahydrate transforms into a white anhydrous copper sulfate (CuSO₄) upon heating. The change in color and physical properties indicates a chemical reaction.
* Chemical Equation: The reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation:
CuSO₄·5H₂O (s) → CuSO₄ (s) + 5H₂O (g)
In this equation:
* CuSO₄·5H₂O represents the blue copper sulfate pentahydrate.
* CuSO₄ represents the white anhydrous copper sulfate.
* 5H₂O represents the water molecules released as vapor.
Therefore, heating copper sulfate pentahydrate is a chemical reaction resulting in the dehydration of the hydrate and the formation of anhydrous copper sulfate.
