CuSO4, also known as copper(II) sulfate, is classified as a polyatomic ionic compound. This is because it consists of copper ions (Cu2+) and sulfate ions (SO42-), which are polyatomic ions.
To break it down further:
- Monatomic vs. Polyatomic: Monatomic ions consist of a single atom, like Na+ or Cl–. In contrast, polyatomic ions are made up of multiple atoms that bind together, as in SO42-.
- Ionic vs. Covalent: Ionic compounds are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. Covalent compounds are formed when atoms share electrons. CuSO4 fits the ionic category due to the exchange of electrons between copper and the sulfate group.
- Binary vs. Molecular: Binary compounds consist of only two different elements, while molecular compounds can consist of two or more elements bonded covalently. In this case, CuSO4 has more than two elements but includes ions, making it ionic rather than molecular.
Overall, the presence of both a metal (copper) and a polyatomic ion (sulfate) firmly places CuSO4 in the category of polyatomic ionic compounds.