Can someone please explain how this compound han have half a water molecule as a ligand for water of crystallization?Magpie - 8-1-2012 at 16:12
This represents a ratio of molecules in the crystal, ie, there is one molecule of water for every two molecules of CaSO4.Megak - 8-1-2012 at 16:54
These numbers are simply molar ratios and are used to make life easier for measuring and theorizing equations. The mole, represents 6.022 x 10^24
representative particles (I think, but you can always look up Avagadro's number). So when there is 1 mole of a substance, you actuallyhave trillions
and trillions of actual molecules or formula units.
I hope this answers your question!
[Edited on 9-1-2012 by Megak]ScienceSquirrel - 8-1-2012 at 17:32
Can someone please explain how this compound han have half a water molecule as a ligand for water of crystallization?
It is 2CaSO4-1H2O, where approximately one molecule of water is shared between two calcium ions and two sulphate ions.
The ratio is not exact and varies between samples. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_sulfate#Dehydration_rea... bob800 - 8-1-2012 at 17:52
What would happen if, hypothetically, a single molecule was isolated? ScienceSquirrel - 8-1-2012 at 18:02
What would happen if, hypothetically, a single molecule was isolated?
There is no such thing as a single molecule in this case. It is a lattice built of calcium and sulphate ions with water molecules shared between them.
Not all substances have exact formulas, some are approximations.
