Why Does Mixing CuSO4 and H2O Release Heat?

Thread starter Werg22
Start date Sep 24, 2006
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In summary, a chemical reaction is a process that transforms reactants into products by breaking and forming chemical bonds between atoms. The products can be determined by balancing the chemical equation and considering the properties of the reactants. Factors such as temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalysts can affect the rate of a chemical reaction. Some reactions can be reversed, known as reversible reactions, and are indicated by a double arrow in the chemical equation. Exothermic reactions release heat energy, while endothermic reactions absorb heat energy and cause a change in temperature.

Sep 24, 2006

Werg22

Mixing CuSO_4 and H_2O, heat was produced during the reaction. Why did that happen?

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Sep 26, 2006

dmoravec

the simplest answer is that when the cupper and sulfate ions dissociated energy was released.

Sep 26, 2006

Borek

Mentor

The simplest answer is slightly wrong here, as if you will mix CuSO4.5H2O with water you will not observe substantial heat evolving.

Look for heat of hydration.

FAQ: Why Does Mixing CuSO4 and H2O Release Heat?

What is a chemical reaction?

A chemical reaction is a process in which substances, known as reactants, are transformed into different substances, known as products. This transformation occurs due to the breaking and forming of chemical bonds between atoms.

How do you determine the products of a chemical reaction?

The products of a chemical reaction can be determined by balancing the chemical equation and using the knowledge of the reactants' chemical properties. The Law of Conservation of Mass also states that the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products.

What factors can affect the rate of a chemical reaction?

The rate of a chemical reaction can be affected by factors such as temperature, concentration of reactants, surface area of reactants, and presence of catalysts. These factors can either increase or decrease the rate of the reaction.

Can a chemical reaction be reversed?

Yes, some chemical reactions are reversible, meaning the products can react with each other to form the original reactants. This is known as a reversible reaction and is indicated by a double arrow in the chemical equation.

What is the difference between an exothermic and endothermic reaction?

An exothermic reaction releases heat energy to the surroundings, causing a rise in temperature. On the other hand, an endothermic reaction absorbs heat energy from the surroundings, causing a decrease in temperature. The direction of heat flow is reversed for these two types of reactions.