Ionic Dissociation and Hydrolysis in Aqueous CuSO₄

Steps:

• Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄) dissolves in water and dissociates into Cu²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions.
• The Cu²⁺ ions form [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ complexes.
• These complexes undergo hydrolysis: [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ + H₂O ⇌ [Cu(H₂O)₅OH]⁺ + H₃O⁺.
• This produces H⁺ (from H₃O⁺) alongside Cu²⁺ as positive ions.

Why B is correct:

• Hydrolysis of [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ generates H₃O⁺ ions, so positive ions include Cu²⁺ and H⁺ per the equilibrium formula.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Omits H⁺ ions produced by hydrolysis.
• C: SO₄²⁻ is a negative ion, not positive.
• D: SO₄²⁻ is negative; OH⁻ is negative, not a positive ion.

Final answer: B