100g – Copper Sulphate

Copper (II) Sulphate

(Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate/Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate)

Copper (II) Sulphate has various uses, some of which are detailed below:

It can be mixed with Lime to produce ‘Bordeaux Mixture’ which is used to control fungus on grapes, melons, and other berries. It can be mixed with ammonium carbonate to form a Cheshunt compound that is used in horticulture to prevent damping off in seedlings. Copper Sulphate can also be used to rid swimming pools of algae and in ponds/aquariums to kill parasitic infections and snails (Copper Sulphate is toxic to fish, so care must be taken to ensure the correct dose is used). 

Copper Sulphate is also used in the classroom to demonstrate an exothermic reaction by adding steel wool or magnesium ribbon to an aqueous solution of Copper Sulphate. In the pentahydrate form it can be heated which removes the water molecules from the solid structure leaving just the anhydrous copper sulphate (white) solid. Adding water to this will return the copper sulphate to its original pentahydrate form (blue). 

This substance should be handled correctly, please see the safety phrases below