Zainab Al-Hassani (Y8): Making copper sulphate crystals

In the field of chemistry, experiments play an essential role in deepening our understanding of various chemical reactions and compounds. One exciting experiment that year 8 students conducted was creating copper sulfate crystals. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is a brilliant blue crystalline substance commonly used in various applications including agriculture, and more. This experiment provides students with firsthand experience in observing the process of crystal formation and further enhances our knowledge of chemical substances.

The objective of this experiment is to create copper sulfate crystals by dissolving copper oxide in sulfuric acid and allowing the solution to crystallise.

Materials:

1. Copper Oxide (CuO)

2. Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)

3. Water

4. Beaker

5. Stirring Rod

6. Filter Paper

7. Funnel

8. Water Bath

9. Bunsen Burner

10. Spatula

11. Safety Goggles

12. Heatproof Mat

13. Conical Flask

First and foremost, we must ensure that we are conducting the experiment safely, so we put on safety goggles to protect ourselves from any potential hazards during the experiment.

After the safety precautions, we started the preparation of the copper sulfate solution. First, we poured about 20 ml of dilute sulphuric acid into a conical flask. Next, we placed the conical flask into a water bath at 50 degrees and left it to heat up for 2-3 minutes. When the acid was heated, we carefully took it out of the water bath, used a spatula to add a little bit of copper oxide, and stirred it. We repeated this until the copper oxide was completely in excess. The reaction between copper oxide and sulfuric acid is exothermic and so it releases heat. After that, we returned the flask to the water bath and left it to heat up until there was no more acid left. A few minutes later, we took it out of the water bath and let it cool down. Once cooled, we filtered the solution using a funnel lined with filter paper to remove any impurities or unreacted copper oxide. Then, we collected the filtrate (the clear copper sulfate solution) in an evaporating basin. Now, place the basin on top of a beaker half-full of water. Using a Bunsen Burner, heat the beaker, basin, and the remaining contents on a blue flame. Heat it until half of the water has evaporated and allow the evaporating basin to cool. Once it has cooled down, transfer the solution into a petri dish or watch glass and leave it for a few days to allow the water to evaporate. Over time, beautiful blue crystals of copper sulfate will start to form in the petri dish/watch glass. 

In this experiment, we successfully synthesized copper sulfate crystals by dissolving copper oxide in sulfuric acid and allowing the solution to crystallise. During the process, we had the opportunity to observe firsthand the transformation of a solution into solid, well-defined crystals. The experiment not only deepened our understanding of chemical reactions but also enhanced our skills in following laboratory procedures and understanding safety protocols. By engaging in such experiments, students can foster a sense of curiosity and scientific inquiry while building a foundation in the field of chemistry.

Zainab Al-Hassani (Y8)
Science subject prefect