Final answer:
A rain-predicting novelty device with cobalt chloride will turn pink when rain is imminent, indicating increased humidity and the formation of hydrated cobalt(II) chloride.
Step-by-step explanation:
Novelty devices for predicting rain, which contain cobalt chloride (CoCl2), change color based on the humidity in the air due to the equilibrium reaction CoCl2(s) + 6H2O(g) = CoCl2 ยท 6H2O(s). The anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride is blue, and when it is hydrated with six molecules of water, it forms cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate which is pink in color. If rain is imminent, the air is typically more humid, which means the CoCl2 will absorb more water and form the hydrated cobalt(II) chloride, indicating a color change to pink. This is a reversible reaction, highlighting the dynamic nature of chemical equilibria in response to changes in environmental conditions such as humidity.