When copper carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid, a chemical reaction occurs producing copper sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide gas. This is a common type of reaction between an acid and a metal carbonate.
The Chemical Reaction
The reaction between copper carbonate and sulfuric acid follows the general principle of an acid reacting with a metal carbonate.
General Word Equation:
Acid + metal carbonate --- salt + water + carbon dioxide
In this specific case, the reactants are copper carbonate and sulfuric acid, and the products are copper sulfate, water, and carbon dioxide.
Specific Word Equation:
According to the provided information, the reaction is:
copper carbonate + sulfuric acid → copper sulfate + water + carbon dioxide
Products of the Reaction
The reaction yields three distinct products:
- Copper Sulfate: This is a salt formed from the copper metal and the sulfate part of the sulfuric acid. As indicated in the reference, the copper is in the Copper (II) oxidation state, meaning the salt formed is Copper(II) sulfate. Copper(II) sulfate is typically a blue solid or solution.
- Water: A molecule of water (H₂O) is produced.
- Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a gas. Its formation is often observed as effervescence or bubbling during the reaction.
Summary of the Reaction
Here's a simple breakdown of the reaction:
| Reactants | Products |
|---|---|
| Copper Carbonate | Copper Sulfate |
| Sulfuric Acid | Water |
| Carbon Dioxide |
Why This Reaction Occurs
Metal carbonates are basic substances. When they come into contact with acids, a neutralization reaction occurs. The hydrogen ions from the acid react with the carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻) and the metal cation (Cu²⁺) from the metal carbonate. This process breaks down the carbonate, releasing carbon dioxide gas and forming water and a salt.
This reaction is a clear demonstration of how acids behave when mixed with metal carbonates, producing a salt, water, and carbon dioxide, a characteristic outcome of such interactions.
