General Chemistry
Chem. 105
Laboratory Manual
Prepared by:
Dr.Mahmoud Alqudah and Tariq Batianeh.
2020
Experiment 2
Formula of a Hydrate
Objectives:
• To determine the percent by mass of water in a hydrated salt
Introduction:
A hydrate is an ionic compound that contains water molecules in its structure. To
determine the formula of a hydrate experimentally, we must calculate the mole: mole
ratio of the water portion compared to the anhydrate portion. An anhydrate is the
substance that remains after the water is removed from a hydrate. When a hydrate is
heated the water molecules are driven off as steam, leaving behind the water-free
anhydrate. The first step to finding the formula for a hydrate is to record the mass of
the hydrate. After heating the hydrate, the mass is determined for the anhydrate that
remains. The mass of the water that was present is calculated by finding the
difference between the mass of the hydrate and the mass of the anhydrate. The mass
of the water and the mass of the anhydrate are each converted to moles using their
respective molar masses. From this a whole number ratio can be determined (see
example).
Example: A 15.67 g sample of a hydrate of magnesium carbonate MgCO 3 was
heated, without decomposing the carbonate, to drive off the water. The mass was
reduced to 7.58 g. What is the formula of the hydrate?
Solution:
1) Determine mass of water driven off:
15.67 - 7.58 = 8.09 g of water
2) Determine moles of MgCO3 and water:
MgCO3: 7.58 g / 84.313 g/mol = 0.0899 mol
H2O: 8.09 g / 18.015 g/mol = 0.449 mol
3) Find a whole number molar ratio:
MgCO3: 0.0899 mol / 0.0899 mol = 1
H2O: 0.449 mol / 0.0899 mol = 5
The formula of a hydrate is: MgCO3 · 5H2O
Procedure:
Now we will make the needed mass measurements to determine the number of
Water of hydration in unknown Salt.
1. Obtain a crucible and lid and wipe it as clean as possible with a piece of paper
towel. (Do no other cleaning of the crucible.)
2. Support the crucible/lid on a clay triangle set on a ring above a Bunsen burner as
shown in Figure 1.
3. Heat the crucible with an intense flame for about 5 minutes. This will drive any
absorbed Water and other combustible materials from the crucible. Allow it to cool
for about 10 minutes. (Always handle the crucible and lid with a pair of tongs.)
4. Weigh the empty crucible and lid. This should be done fairly accurately on an
analytical balance.
5. Add ~2g of an unknown hydrate to the crucible and re-weigh the crucible and lid.
6. Return the crucible with the sample to the clay triangle and set the lid off the
crucible’s edge to allow the gaseous Water to escape.
7. At first, heat the sample slowly and then gradually intensify the heat. Do not allow
the crucible to become red hot as the anhydrous salt can decompose. Heat the
sample for 15 minutes. Cover the crucible with the lid and allow it to cool for
about 10 minutes.
8. Reheat the sample for 5 more minutes, reweigh. If the second weighing disagrees
with the first repeat the heating until constant weight is achieved.
Figure 1
Experiment 2
Formula of Hydrate
Name: I.D:
Date: LAB SEC:
REPORT SHEET
Unknown number ( )
Trial 1 Trial 2
Mass of crucible (g)
Mass of hydrate salt (g)
Mass of crucible and hydrate salt (g)
Mass of crucible and anhydrous salt (g)
First heating
Second heating
Third heating
Calculations:
Trial 1 Trial 2
1- Mass of hydrated salt (g)
2- Mass of anhydrous salt (g)
3- Moles of anhydrous salt
4- Mass of water lost (g)
5- Moles of water lost
6- Percent by weight of volatile water in
this hydrated salt
7- Average % water in hydrated salt
8- Mole ratio of water to anhydrous salt
9- Formula of hydrate
**Show your calculation for trial 1.
QUESTIONS
1) What is the effect of intense heating of the sample?
2) If the salt decomposes yielding a volatile product. Is the reported mass of water
removed too high or too low? Explain.
3) How can you make sure that all of the water of hydration has been removed?
4) A hydrate of Na2CO3 has a mass of 4.31 g before heating. After heating, the mass
of the anhydrous compound is found to be 3.22 g. determine the formula of the
hydrate and then write out the name of the hydrate.
5) A 2.815 g sample of CuSO4.nH2O was heated until all of the water was removed.
Calculate the percentage of water of hydration and the formula of the hydrate if
the residue after heating weighed 2.485 g
