The above chemical equation describes the reaction between copper (Cu), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce copper sulfate (CuSO4) and water (H2O).
- Reaction Conditions
This reaction needs to be carried out in an acidic environment, thus the compound H2SO4 must be present. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent and needs to be present to oxidize copper from the Cu state to Cu2+.
- Reaction Process
- Firstly, copper (Cu) reacts with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) environment to produce copper (II) ion and water.
- Then, copper (II) ion combines with sulfate ions (SO4 2-) from sulfuric acid to form copper sulfate (CuSO4), a blue solid substance.
- Phenomena Occurrence
During the reaction process, we will first see bubbles appearing – this is a sign of the release of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. Subsequently, the solution will gradually turn blue as copper sulfate is formed.