In chemical equations and formulas, chemists use symbols to represent elements, compounds, and solutions. The difference between the following representations:
1. CuSO4 (s): This symbol represents copper sulfate in its solid state. The "(s)" stands for "solid," indicating that copper sulfate exists as a solid or crystalline compound at a given temperature and pressure.
2. CuSO4 • 5H2O (s): This symbol represents copper sulfate pentahydrate in its solid state. The "•" is used to denote the presence of water molecules that are associated with the compound. In this case, copper sulfate is combined with five water molecules (pentahydrate).
3. CuSO4 (aq): This symbol represents copper sulfate in its aqueous state. The "(aq)" stands for "aqueous," indicating that copper sulfate is dissolved in water to form a solution. The ions of copper sulfate dissociate in water, forming Cu2+ and SO4^2- ions, resulting in an aqueous solution.
Overall, these different representations indicate the physical states and conditions in which copper sulfate exists – solid form, solid form with associated water molecules, and dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution.
Chemists use symbols when writing chemical equations and formulas. Explain the difference between the following representation of the same chemical CuSO 4(s), CuSO 4 •5H2O (s), CuSO4 (aq)
fbeenwxug5
1 answer