Title: HYDRATED CRYSTALS LAB

Purpose: The purpose of completing this lab was to be able to figure out the empirical formula, as well as
the percent error of our calculations, of MgSO 4, commonly known as Epsom Salt. Each trial after the first,
we changed the time to try to improve the percent error-getting as close to 0% as possible.

Procedure:

1. Mass the crucible with a scale that measures to .01g.

2. Mass 5.00g MgSO4 on the same scale.
3. Mass crucible and the MgSO4 together on the same scale.
4. Heat with a Bunsen burner for five minutes.
5. Allow to cool; Mass the final product and subtract the difference to figure out the amount of
MgSO4 that is left in the crucible.
6. Subtract the amount of pure MgSO4 for the amount of the hydrate heated to figure out the
amount of H2O in the original hydrate
7. Figure out the empirical formula and the percent error for the trial using the equations given in
the instructions.
8. Repeat twice more, changing the time heated to 10 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively.

SOURCES OF ERROR (OBSERVATIONS)

1. While heating our MgSO4, the flame from our Bunsen burner kept flowing. This created a
source of error because we did not have a steady heat source heating our Epsom salt.
2. On the first lab day, the room was hot. On the second lab day, the room was chillier. This
change of temperature could have affected the humidity in the room, which, in turn, created a
source of error when we were heating our different trials from day to day.
3. Our second trial used a different massed crucible than the first and third trials, which weighed
less than the other two. This change in mass created a source of error because the lighter the
mass, the easier it is for the flame’s heat to penetrate the crucible, making it more effective
against the MgSO4 in the lighter massed crucible than the others.
4. In each trial, the crucible was never the same distance from the flame; this created error
because the hydrate was not heated by the same degree of heat from trial to trial.
5. The flame was also never the same height. Just like Number 4, this created error because the
MgSO4 was never being heated by the same degree of heat from trial to trial.

DATA:

Trial 1; no changes Trial 2; changed time (10 Trial 3; changed time (15
minutes) Minutes)

Mass of Crucible 27.32 grams 24.94 grams 27.32 grams

 Initial Mass(crucible plus 32.32 grams 29.94 grams 32.32 grams
Epsom Salt)
Final Mass 30.32 grams 27.44 grams 29.80 grams
Mass of MgSO4 2.00 grams 2.50 grams 2.52 grams
Theoretical Empirical MgSO4 · 10H2O MgSO4 ·6H2O MgSO4 ·6H2O
Formula
Percent Error 21.927% 7.3090% 7.3090%
The actual empirical formula for Epsom Salt is MgSO 4·7H20, as stated by the lab instructions from Mrs.
Timpson “(the true formula is magnesium sulfate hepta hydrate)”
(http://blendedschools.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=
%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_106728_1%26url
%3D)

Trial 1 Calculations:

Empirical Formula:

MgSO4 =2.00 grams 1mol MgSO4=120.38g 2.00g MgSO4=1.66*10-2mol MgSO4 /1.66*10-2=1

H2O= 3.00 grams 1mol H2O= 18.016g 3.00g H2O=1.67*10-1 mol H2O /1.66*10-2=10.1≈10

Theoretical Empirical Formula: MgSO4·10H2O

Known Value−Experimental Value

=Percent Error /100
Known Value

MgSO 4 · 7 H 2 O−MgSO 4 ·10 H 20

=Percent Error /100
MgSO 4 ·7 H 2O

246.492 g−300.54 g
=Percent Error /100
246.492 g

Percent Error: 21.927%

Trial 2 Calculations:

Empirical Formula:

MgSO4 =2.50 grams 1mol MgSO4=120.38g 2.50g MgSO4=2.08*10-2 mol MgSO4 /2.08*10-2=1

H2O= 2.50 grams 1mol H2O= 18.016g 2.50g H2O=1.39*10-1 mol H2O /2.08*10-2=6.68≈6

Theoretical Empirical Formula: MgSO4·6H2O

 Known Value−Experimental Value
=Percent Error /100
Known Value

MgSO 4 · 7 H 2 O−MgSO 4 ·6 H 20
=Percent Error /100
MgSO 4 ·7 H 2O

246.492 g−228.476 g
=Percent Error /100
246.492 g

Percent Error: 7.3090%

Trial 3 Calculations:

Empirical Formula:

MgSO4 =2.52 grams 1mol MgSO4=120.38g 2.52g MgSO4=2.09*10-2 mol MgSO4 /2.09*10-2=1

H2O= 2.48 grams 1mol H2O= 18.016g 2.48g H2O= 1.38*10-1 mol H2O /2.09*10-2=6.60≈6

Theoretical Empirical Formula: MgSO4·6H2O

Known Value−Experimental Value

=Percent Error /100
Known Value

MgSO 4 · 7 H 2 O−MgSO 4 ·6 H 20
=Percent Error /100
MgSO 4 ·7 H 2O

246.492 g−228.476 g
=Percent Error /100
246.492 g

Percent Error: 7.3090%

Conclusion:

The objectives for this lab was to be able to figure out the empirical formula of MgSO 4,find the
percent error, and make a change in the next trial to try and improve the percent error. All of these
objectives were met by the end of the lab. For the first trial, the percent error was 21.927%. This was due
to the errors in the flowing flame, higher spot of the crucible from the flame, and the cooler conditions the
day trial 1 was performed. The second day of lab, it was decided that a longer time be implemented in the
next two trials. Therefore, the second trial’s Epsom salt was heated for 10 minutes and the third 15
minutes. For the second trial, a less massed crucible was used. This allowed for the heat to penetrate it
faster and more effectively than the crucible used in trials 2 and 3. The percent errors for the second and
third trials were both 7.3090%. Before being rounded for the empirical formula, trial two was more
accurate. It had a 6.68 after the moles of H 2O were divided by the smallest number of moles (closer to 7 in
the actual; empirical formula), as opposed to 6.60 in trial 3. Because 6.68 was not close enough to seven
to round, the empirical number of molecules of water rounded down to six instead of up to seven. Had the
number been a little bigger, the ratio of moles of water to moles of MgSO 4 would be 1:7, like the empirical,
leading to 0% error. Extending the heating time greatly decreased the percent error from the first to second
and third trials. If the same crucible, a steady and exact flame, and same room conditions were used each
trial, the percent error most likely would have decreased with the third change as well, ultimately dropping
the percent error to 0%-a perfect lab.