Hydrated copper sulfate, CuSO4.5H2O, is a blue solid. Anhydrous copper sulfate, CuSO4, is a white solid. Heat energy is needed to convert hydrated copper sulfate to anhydrous copper sulfate. This is a reversible reaction. Devise an experiment to show that this is a reversible reaction. – 9024

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1. To show that the reaction is reversible:

   First, I would heat the hydrated solid (like hydrated copper sulfate). When it is heated, it loses water, and the solid turns white. Sometimes you can also see steam or water being produced. This shows the decomposition.

   Then, for the reverse reaction, I would add water back to the white solid. The water joins with the anhydrous solid, and the solid turns blue again. This shows the reaction is reversible. You might also feel that heat is released when water is added.

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