Question

Fill in the blanks. A salt, \(\mathrm{X}\) is prepared by the complete neutralization of \(\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) with \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\). The nature of \(\mathrm{X}\) is ____.

Short answer

Answer: Copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants and products

Since this is a neutralization reaction, the reactants are Cu(OH)₂ and H₂SO₄. The products will be a salt and water.

Write the unbalanced chemical equation

The unbalanced chemical equation can be written as: Cu(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ -> X + H₂O

Balance the chemical equation

To balance the chemical equation, find the appropriate coefficients for each compound: Cu(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ -> CuSO₄ + 2H₂O Now the equation is balanced.

Determine the salt formed

From the balanced chemical equation, we can see that the salt X formed during the neutralization is Copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄. So, the nature of X is Copper(II) sulfate.

Key concepts

Chemical Equations

Chemical equations are representations of chemical reactions, showing the reactants turning into products. In a chemical equation, symbols and formulas of substances are used to depict the changes that occur. It's important for the equation to be balanced, which means that the number of atoms for each element must be the same on both sides of the reaction.

For educational purposes, it's helpful for students to visualize the balancing process step-by-step. In our example with Cu(OH)₂ and H₂SO₄, the initial unbalanced equation was Cu(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ -> CuSO₄ + H₂O. Balancing requires determining the correct coefficients for each compound to ensure the conservation of atoms. The balanced form, Cu(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ -> CuSO₄ + 2H₂O, shows an equal number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides. Understanding chemical equations is foundational in chemistry as it depicts the stoichiometry of the reaction and allows for further calculations and understanding of the reaction involved.

Salt Formation

Salt formation is a key outcome in many chemical reactions, particularly in neutralization reactions involving an acid and a base. Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions). During the neutralization process, the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water, and the remaining ions form the salt.

In the context of our exercise, the salt formed is Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄). This compound is the result of Copper(II) ions from Cu(OH)₂ and the sulfate ions from H₂SO₄ coming together after the neutralization has taken place. The students must understand that salt doesn't mean just table salt (sodium chloride), but a broad category of substances produced from the neutralization reaction. Recognizing the types of ions that combine to form salts helps students predict the products of such reactions and understand the properties and applications of different salts.

Acid-Base Reactions

Acid-base reactions are a type of chemical reaction that feature the transfer of protons or hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the acid to the base. Acids are substances that can donate H⁺ ions, whereas bases can accept them. When acids and bases react, they typically form water and salt, which is known as neutralization.

Our neutralization example involved the acid H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid) and the base Cu(OH)₂ (copper(II) hydroxide). The hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from Cu(OH)₂ react with the hydrogen ions in H₂SO₄ to produce water (H₂O), while the remaining ions (Cu²⁺ and SO₄²⁻) form the salt Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄). For students, grasping the concept that neutralization reactions are acid-base reactions that result in the production of water and a salt is beneficial because it provides them with a clear pattern to follow when predicting the products of similar chemical reactions. By understanding the overarching process, students can apply their knowledge to different scenarios with confidence and accuracy.