Question

A solution of ethanedioic acid was made up and it was calculated that 22.5cm3 of certain potassium manganate (VII) solution would oxidize 25cm3 of the ethanedioic acid solution were needed.The error lays in fact that the calculation was based on formula of anhydrous acid where the crystalline acid was actually weighed is the value of X in the formula H2C2O4.XH2O​

Answer 1

The student made an error by assuming the ethanedioic acid solution was based on the formula of the anhydrous acid. However, the crystalline acid was actually weighed, resulting in a formula of H2C2O4•XH2O, where X represents the number of water molecules present.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's error lies in assuming that the calculation of the ethanedioic acid solution was based on the formula of the anhydrous acid, H2C2O4. However, the crystalline acid was actually weighed, so the formula should be H2C2O4•XH2O, where X represents the number of water molecules present in the crystal lattice.