How do I determine which chemical is in which bottle

[h_k331]

I have two bottles of chemicals. I know that one bottle is Copper (II) Sulfide, and the other is Copper (II) Sulfate Pentahydrate. One bottle contains blue crystals and the other bottle contains black crystals. Problem is, the bottles aren't labeled, so the question is how do I determine which chemical is in which bottle.

My thought is to heat a small amount of each chemical, and the one that releases moisture is the Copper (II) Sulfate Pentahydrate. Only problem is that we are currently studying solubility, not hydrates, so I expected the answer to have something to do with solubility. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

hk

 

[h_k331]

In reply to my own post, I was reading over the solubility rules again and noticed that compounds containing sulfide are insoluble. I sopose I just need to put a small amount of each in water and see which one remains solid.

hk

 

[Astronuc]

The copper ion (actually the complex ion [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺, which is called the hexaaquacopper(II) ion) in solution gives the blue color, and IIRC copper sulphide gives a black color.

See this on complex ions - http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/complexmenu.html#top

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/complexions/names.html#top

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/complexions/colour.html#top

 

[h_k331]

Thanks Astronuc.

hk