Determining the Chemical Formula of a Hydrate

Katherine Diemert
April 19, 2010

Purpose: To find the molecular formula of the hydrate of copper (II) sulfate,
CuSO4•_H2O.

Observations:

Mass of empty evaporating dish and stir stick 57.51g

Mass of evaporating dish, stir stick, and hydrated copper (II) sulfate 62.59g
Mass of evaporating dish, stir stick, and anhydrous copper (II) sulfate 61.08g

Analysis:

Conclusion: In conclusion, the formula for hydrated copper sulfate, is CuSO4 • 21H2O,
as per calculated from our observations of the change in mass. However,
some possible sources of error are the possibility of uneven heating, which
could have caused the CuSO4 to combust, and therefore bond with Oxygen
atoms. Or the loss of substance while setting down or holding the stir
stick, or in transport to the electronic scale.