Question

In a laboratory experiment, an 87.0 gram sample of Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O was subjected to thorough heating in a porcelain crucible until its weight stabilized. Formulate a comprehensive question to guide respondents through the process of determining the amount of the anhydrous compound that remained after the heating process.

Answer 1

To determine the amount of the anhydrous compound that remained after heating a hydrated compound, calculate the mass of water lost and subtract it from the initial mass

Step-by-step explanation:

When a hydrated compound is heated, the water of hydration is removed, leaving behind the anhydrous compound. To determine the amount of the anhydrous compound that remained after heating, we need to calculate the mass of the water that was lost. We can then subtract this mass from the initial mass of the hydrated compound to find the mass of the anhydrous compound.

In this case, we know that the initial mass of the Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O sample is 87.0 grams. After heating, if the weight stabilizes, it means that all the water has been removed. Let's say the final mass is 'x' grams. We can calculate the mass of the water lost by subtracting x grams from 87.0 grams. The anhydrous compound that remains after heating will have a mass of 87.0 grams minus the mass of the water lost.