* Reactants:
* Lead acetate (Pb(CH₃COO)₂) - a colorless to white solid
* Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) - a blue solid
* Products:
* Lead sulfate (PbSO₄) - a white precipitate (insoluble in water)
* Copper acetate (Cu(CH₃COO)₂) - a blue-green solution (soluble in water)
The balanced chemical equation is:
Pb(CH₃COO)₂ (aq) + CuSO₄ (aq) → PbSO₄ (s) + Cu(CH₃COO)₂ (aq)
Here's a breakdown of the reaction:
* The lead ions (Pb²⁺) from lead acetate react with the sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) from copper sulfate.
* Lead sulfate (PbSO₄) is formed, which is insoluble in water and precipitates out as a white solid.
* The copper ions (Cu²⁺) from copper sulfate react with the acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻) from lead acetate.
* Copper acetate (Cu(CH₃COO)₂) is formed, which is soluble in water and remains in solution, giving the solution a blue-green color.
In summary:
When you mix a solution of lead acetate with a solution of copper sulfate, you'll observe the formation of a white precipitate (lead sulfate) and the solution will turn blue-green due to the presence of copper acetate.
