UNIVERSITY OF

PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA

DETERMINATION OF THE FORMULA OF A HYDRATE

Some compounds can reversibly either absorb water onto their surfaces or include water in their structure
forming a complex in which water generally bonds with the cation in ionic substances. A hydrate is a compound
that is formed by the combination of a stoichiometric amount of water with a specific quantity of salt. Anhydrous
salts do not contain water and are usually different in color and crystalline structure from the hydrate form. The
formulae of hydrates are represented by the ratio of the number of moles of water to the number of moles of the
salt being hydrated. To evaluate the formula of hydrates, the hydrate is decomposed through heating to liberate
the water molecules.

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the experiment, the learner is expected to:
1. Demonstrate the proper laboratory techniques in weighing through the use of the analytical balance.
2. Calculate the number of moles in a quantity provided its weight.
3. Determine the empirical formula of a hydrate

MATERIALS:
Copper sulfate crystals 10mL test tubes
100mL beaker cork or rubber stopper
Test tube holder Bunsen burner
Weighing scale Spatula

PROCEDURE:
1. Obtain a clean and dry test tube and cover it with a cork or rubber stopper.
2. Place the stoppered test tube in a dry 100mL beaker and weigh. Record the weight.
3. Add around 1g of copper sulfate crystals to the test tube and cover it with the stopper. Weigh the test tube
in the beaker. If the increase in weight compared to the previous measurement is less than one gram, add
more copper sulfate crystals to the test tube, cover it with the stopper, and weigh it again. Record the
weight.
4. Heat the test tube (no stopper) over a blue flame until all of the crystals have decomposed. While heating,
make sure to constantly move the test tube over the flame by rotating it.
5. Once all crystals have turned into a gray powder, heat the upper part of the test tube to evaporate any
moisture.
6. Cover the test tube with the stopper and let it cool until it is at room temperature.
7. Weigh the test tube in the same beaker and record the weight.
8. Using the various weights recorded, calculate the formula of the copper sulfate hydrate.

REFERENCE:
Adapted from the Laboratory Manual in General Chemistry 1 (2012 edition) by the Committee on General
Chemistry, Chemistry Unit, Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Manila.
 DATA AND RESULTS

Experimental Data:
Weight of beaker + test tube + stopper + crystal before heating ________ g
Weight of beaker + test tube + stopper ________ g
Weight of beaker + test tube + stopper + after heating ________ g
Weight of residue (CuSO4) ________ g
Loss in weight upon heating (weight of H2O) ________ g
Formula weight of CuSO4 ________ g/mole
Formula weight of H2O ________ g/mole
Moles of CuSO4 ________ moles
Moles of H2O ________ moles
Simplest ratio of moles of H2O to moles of CuSO4 ________
Formula of hydrate ________

COMPUTATIONS:

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. What are hydrates? How are they usually written in terms of their chemical formula?
2. Why is there a change in color and appearance when copper sulfate crystals are heated? What is the
identity of the gray powder?
3. What is the purpose of evaporating any moisture on the upper part of the test tube?
4. How can one identify the formula of the hydrate using the weights obtained from the experiment? Show
your complete solutions?