EXPERIMENT NO.

10 PREPARATION OF PLASTER OF PARIS

 Chemical name: Calcium Sulfate hemihydrate
 Synonyms: “Calcii Sulfas Exciccatus”, “Exsiccated Calcium Sulfate”, Dried Calcium Sulfate
 Synonym of calcium sulfate in the preparation of plaster in Paris: Gypsum and terra alba Chemical formula: CaSO4.2H20
 Difference between calcium sulfate and plaster of Paris:
 Calcium sulfate (CaSO4.2H20) is used in the preparation of plaster of paris
 while plaster of Paris contains calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4.H2O or CaSO4.1/2H2O).
- Plaster of Paris can be molded into different shape when it is moisture but gypsum does not have that property
 Chemical formula of plaster of Paris: CaSO4.H2O or CaSO4 • ½ H2O
 Uses of plaster of Paris:
Physical Test
 Plaster of Paris is used to make sculpture and metal casting used as decorative in Color White
building. Odor Odorless
 Used in buildings to avoid a fire hazard as Plaster of Paris is fire resistant. Physical Solid
 It is used as a coating in wood and metal structure to have to avoid any fire accident. State
 Also used in surgical casts and for making dental impressions.

Chemical Test
Test for Calcium Brick-red color flame  Solution or preparation containing calcium always yields
brick-red color using flame test
Test for Sulfate White precipitate  Calcium sulfate and barium chloride reacts to give white
precipitate of BaSO4. It undergoes double displacement
reaction.