when excess dilute sulphuric acid was added to coppper II oxide
When excess dilute sulphuric acid is added to copper(II) oxide, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of copper(II) sulphate and water.
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O
To understand what happens during this reaction, let's break it down step by step:
Step 1: Copper(II) oxide (CuO) is a solid, and dilute sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a liquid. When the acid is added to the oxide, the acid molecules dissociate into ions in solution. The hydrogen ions (H+) from the acid react with the oxide ions (O2-) from copper(II) oxide, forming water (H2O):
H2SO4 → 2 H+ + SO4^2-
CuO + 2 H+ → Cu^2+ + H2O
Step 2: The copper ions (Cu^2+) formed in the previous step combine with the sulphate ions (SO4^2-) from the sulphuric acid to form copper(II) sulphate (CuSO4):
Cu^2+ + SO4^2- → CuSO4
Step 3: The overall reaction after combining all the steps is:
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O
To determine the amount of copper(II) oxide and sulphuric acid required for a specific reaction, you need to know the balanced chemical equation and the molar ratios between the reactants and products. The molar ratio is obtained from the coefficients in the balanced equation. For example, from the equation:
1 mol of CuO reacts with 1 mol of H2SO4 to produce 1 mol of CuSO4 and 1 mol of H2O.
To calculate the required amounts, you would need to know the molar mass of copper(II) oxide and sulphuric acid. By accurately measuring the masses of the reactants, you can then calculate the moles of each substance using their respective molar masses. As the reaction progresses, the limiting reactant (the one that is completely consumed) determines the amount of product that can be formed.
Remember, it is important to handle sulphuric acid with care as it is corrosive and can cause harm if not handled properly. Always follow safety guidelines and use appropriate protective equipment when working with chemicals.