This is an easy way to produce copper sulphate either at home, at school or in a laboratory.
Please note: As you will be working with hot water it is important that children are supervised at all times.
Ingredients needed to make your own copper sulphate crystals:
- Copper carbonate or black copper oxide
- Sulphuric acid
- a clean beaker
- A conical flask
- A glass rod
- A tripod
- an evaporating dish
- Gauze
- Filter paper
- A funnel
- goggles
- Gloves
Instructions on how to make copper sulphate:
- Using gloves and goggles add sulphuric acid to copper carbonate or copper oxide until no more dissolves.
- You will know when you have added enough as no more gas will be produced.
- Filter the solution through the filter paper in a funnel onto an evaporating dish.
- Heat the solution gently over a bunsen burner until most of the solution has evaporated and allow to cool.
- crystals of copper sulphate will start to form on the dish.
Notes:
Always wear appropriate personal protection equipment when handling sulphuric acid as it is very corrosive.