What is the formula,chemical name and …

Copper sulfate is a term that can refer to either of the following chemical compounds – cuprous sulfate (Cu₂SO₄), or cupric sulfate (CuSO₄). However, the latter is the preferred compound described by the term ‘copper sulfate’. The systematic name for CuSO₄ is copper(II) sulfate, but it is also referred to as blue vitriol, Roman vitriol, the vitriol of copper, and bluestone.

The most common form of copper sulfate is its pentahydrate, given by the chemical formula CuSO₄.5H₂O. This form is characterized by its bright blue colour. However, it can be noted that the anhydrous form of this salt is a powder that is white in colour.

Uses :

1. The pentahydrate of this compound, CuSO₄.5H₂O is used as a fungicide due to its ability to kill several fungi.
2. Copper sulfate is used in Benedict’s solution and in Fehling’s solution, which is used in testing for reducing sugars.
3. It is also used to test blood samples for diseases like anaemia.