* Salt of a Strong Acid and Weak Base: Copper(II) sulfate is a salt formed from the reaction of a strong acid (sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄) and a weak base (copper hydroxide, Cu(OH)₂).
* Hydrolysis: When CuSO₄ dissolves in water, it undergoes hydrolysis, meaning the ions react with water molecules. The sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) does not significantly react with water, but the copper(II) ion (Cu²⁺) does. The copper(II) ion reacts with water to form hydronium ions (H₃O⁺), making the solution slightly acidic.
* pH: The pH of a CuSO₄ solution will be slightly less than 7, indicating a mild acidity.
In summary:
* CuSO₄ is not a strong acid or a strong base.
* It exhibits a mild acidity due to the hydrolysis of the copper(II) ion.
However, it's important to remember that the acidity of a CuSO₄ solution can be affected by factors like concentration and the presence of other chemicals.
