How Much Copper Can Be Obtained From 100g of CuSO₄? A Detailed Calculation

Introduction

Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) is a commonly used chemical in laboratories, agriculture, and industry. One frequent question that arises is: How much copper can be obtained from 100 grams of CuSO₄? The answer depends on the form of copper sulfate—whether it is in its anhydrous form or as a hydrate (most commonly, copper sulfate pentahydrate, CuSO₄·5H₂O). In this article, we will break down the calculation step-by-step for both cases, explain the underlying principles, and help you understand how to determine the copper content from a given amount of copper sulfate.

Understanding Copper Sulfate Forms

Anhydrous Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄)

• Chemical Formula: CuSO₄
• Molar Mass Calculation:
  • Copper (Cu): 63.55 g/mol
  • Sulfur (S): 32.07 g/mol
  • Oxygen (O₄): 16.00 × 4 = 64.00 g/mol
  • Total Molar Mass: 63.55 + 32.07 + 64.00 ≈ 159.62 g/mol

Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O)

• Chemical Formula: CuSO₄·5H₂O
• Molar Mass Calculation:
  • Anhydrous part (CuSO₄): ≈ 159.62 g/mol
  • Water (5H₂O): 5 × 18.015 ≈ 90.08 g/mol
  • Total Molar Mass: 159.62 + 90.08 ≈ 249.70 g/mol

Calculation of Copper Content

Case 1: Anhydrous Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄)

1. Determine the Mass Fraction of Copper:
   • Copper’s atomic mass = 63.55 g/mol.
   • Molar mass of CuSO₄ = 159.62 g/mol.
   • Fraction of copper in CuSO₄ = (or about 39.8%).
2. Calculate the Copper in 100g of CuSO₄:

   \text{Mass of Copper} = 100\, \text{g} \times 0.3977 \approx 39.77\, \text{g}

Thus, from 100g of anhydrous CuSO₄, you can obtain approximately 39.8 grams of copper.

Case 2: Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O)

1. Determine the Mass Fraction of Copper:
   • Copper’s atomic mass remains 63.55 g/mol.
   • Molar mass of CuSO₄·5H₂O = 249.70 g/mol.
   • Fraction of copper in CuSO₄·5H₂O = (or about 25.4%).
2. Calculate the Copper in 100g of CuSO₄·5H₂O:

   \text{Mass of Copper} = 100\, \text{g} \times 0.2542 \approx 25.42\, \text{g}

Thus, from 100g of copper sulfate pentahydrate, you can obtain approximately 25.4 grams of copper.

Which Calculation Should You Use?

The answer to “How much copper can be obtained from 100g of CuSO₄?” depends on the specific form of copper sulfate:

• If you have anhydrous CuSO₄: Expect around 39.8 grams of copper from 100g.
• If you have CuSO₄·5H₂O (the common form): Expect around 25.4 grams of copper from 100g.

In many practical applications and laboratory settings, copper sulfate is available as the pentahydrate. Be sure to verify which form you’re using before performing your calculations.

Conclusion

Determining the copper content in copper sulfate involves understanding its chemical composition and using molar mass calculations. By comparing the mass of copper to the total molar mass, we can compute the percentage of copper in the compound. For 100 grams of anhydrous CuSO₄, the copper content is approximately 39.8 grams, while for copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O), it is approximately 25.4 grams.

This step-by-step approach highlights the importance of knowing the exact chemical form when calculating elemental content. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professional, these calculations are essential in various chemical and industrial processes.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and provides general guidelines on calculating copper content from copper sulfate. Always verify specific conditions and consult reliable sources or professionals for precise chemical analysis.

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