Crystals
TopGeneral Information
The mineral form of coppersulfate is chalcanthite. White coppersulfate is coppersulfate without water in its crystal structure (the pentahydrate group). This can be used as an indicator for the presence of water. White coppersulfate turns blauw when it gets into contact with water.
Coppersulfate is instabel, because the water from its crystal structure has the tendency to dissolve the coppersulfate around it. This way the coppersulfate crystals will slowly loose their shape and will eventually pulverize.[1]
TopProduction Methods
Copper sulfate crystals can be made from a solution by evaporating it or from a supersaturated solution by cooling it down gradually. Keep in mind that copper sulfate has a very high solubility, especially at high temperatures.
TopChemical & Physical Information
| Trivial name | Copper sulfate |
| Chemical name | Copper(II) sulfate, pentahydrate |
| Other names | Koper sulfaat (NL,BE) |
| Type of chemical | Ionic compound (salt) |
| Chemical formula | CuSO4, 5H2O |
| CAS number | 7758-98-7 (anhydrous) 7758-99-8 (pentahydrate) |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Bravais lattice | Triclinic |
| Coordination geometry | Octahedral |
| Hardness (Mohs) | ? |
| Young's modulus | ? |
| Colour | Blue |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White (anhydrous), blue (dihydrate) |
| Opacity | Translucent to transparent |
| Safety summary | Toxic, harmful for the environment |
| Safety data | MSDS |
| Production method | Solution vaporization, supersaturated solution cooling. |
| Storage | Dry, not in a metal container. Coating for uncovered specimen. |
| Extra | Hygroscopic |
For more information, also look at the copper sulfate chemicals and the copper sulfate minerals.
TopPhotos
(2 cm)
Sources
[1] Wikipedia
[2] Specimen from my personal collection, photo taken by me.
