Lab: Determining the Percentage of Water in a Known Hydrate
Pre-AP Chemistry
I. Background Information - to be completed before the lab
1. What is a hydrate?
2. What type of solid is copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate?
3. How do crystalline solids differ from amorphous solids?
4. How do solids differ from liquids?
5. How do solids differ from gases?
6. What is the difference between endothermic & exothermic?
II. Pre-Lab Questions - to be completed before lab
Calculate the percent of water in the following hydrates
1. MnSO4·4H2O
2. FeCl2·2H2O
III. Question: What is the percent of water in copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate?
IV. Materials and Equipment: (only record the materials YOU need in your procedure. If you have an idea
for your experiment and the equipment you need is not listed ask, I may have it!)
Copper (II) Sulfate Penta-hydrate
Evaporating Dish
Hot Plate
Electronic Balance
Scupula
bunsen burner
watch glass
stirring rod
Ring stand
wire gauze
clay triangle
flint striker
microwave
hair dryer
beaker
crucible & cover
watch glass
test tube
test tube holder
crucible & cover
crucible tongs
test tube tongs
beaker tongs
balloon
rubber band
V . Procedure: Using the materials listed, design an experimental procedure to determine the percentage of
water in a known hydrate.
VI. Data
1. What experimental observations are you going to make?
List qualitative observations you need to make.
List quantitative observations you need to make.
2. Create a data table
VII. Calculations:
1. How are you going to use your data to calculate the percentage of water in the copper sulfate pentahydrate and determine your percent error?
2. What formulas will you use?
Proceed with the lab and record your data and calculations in your notebook.
3. What are your possible sources of error?
VIII. Conclusion:
Write a one paragraph conclusion summarizing your lab results & anaylsis.