Chapter 6, Problem 43E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Epsom salt has the formula MgSO₄. 7H₂O. Water molecules associated with one formula unit of MgSO₄ is to be found out and the chemical name of Epsom salt is to be written.

Concept introduction:

Few chemical compounds on crystallization from water solution produce crystals that contain water molecules as a part of their crystal structure. These water molecules of the crystals are called as water of crystallization or water of hydration. The crystal that results from the process of crystallization is referred as hydrate. Conversely, the water molecules can be driven away from the crystals by applying heat energy to afford anhydrous chemical compounds. The well-known example of a compound having water crystallization is CuSO₄.5H₂O. The anhydrous chemical compound CuSO₄ (colorless) is combined with 5H₂O molecules on crystallization from a water solution result in hydrated CuSO₄.5H₂O (blue). The name of this chemical compound is denoted as copper (II) sulfate penta hydrate. In this case, the prefix ‘penta’ is usually referred as the presence of 5 molecules (water).