Answer to Question #767 in Inorganic Chemistry for allisha

Question

Na2SO4 * xH2O, the hydrated salt is overheated and the anhydrous salt thermally decompose, one product being a gas; will the reported value of "x" be too high, too low on the unaffected? explain

Answer 1

Na₂SO₄*xH₂O = (dehydratation) = Na₂SO₄ + xH₂O.x = n(H₂O)/n(Na₂SO₄*xH₂O), where n(H₂O) and n(Na₂SO₄*xH₂O) the number of moles of the water and of the hydrated salt respectively.The sodium sulfate exists mostly in the dehydrate form: Na₂SO₄*10H₂O, so x would be equal to 10.