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Hydrated Crystals
Teacher Information
Lab Overview
In this lab students will heat magnesium sulfate hydrate (Epsom salts) until the water
has been removed. They can then calculate the percent water in the hydrate and use
that to calculate the formula of the hydrated crystal and compare it to theoretical data.
Next Generation Science Standards
NGSS/Common Core State Standards
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
HS-PS1-7: Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and
therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
HS-PS1-4: Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a
chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
Medical Application: Magnesium is an essential element within the body and the
background gives them in-depth knowledge of the biological role of magnesium.
Science and Engineering
Practices
Using Mathematics and
Computational Thinking
Use mathematical representations
of phenomena to support claims
Developing and Using Models
Develop a model based on
evidence to illustrate the
relationships between systems or
between components of a system.
Crosscutting Concepts
Page 1
Objectives
By the end of this activity students will be able to:
Calculate the percent water in a hydrate
Find the moles of a compound used in a lab and find the grams of product
expected from calculated moles
Use an endothermic reaction to remove water from a hydrate
Calculate the empirical formula of a hydrate by comparing the water lost to the
anhydrate remaining
Time
Estimated Time
Setup: 5 minutes
Provided
(P) or
Needed (N)
P
N
N
N
N
N
N
Quantit
y
3g/group
Company/
Item #
Approxima
te
Cost
Grocery Store
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Amazon
*see lab notes below if you dont have all of these items for an alternative option
Grocery
Can be found at any local
grocery store
Flinn Scientific
www.flinsci.com
1-800-453-1261
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should already know the following information:
How to find the molar mass of a substance
How to convert from moles to grams and grams to moles
Basic lab safety information
How to use a Bunsen burner
Page 2
Lab Setup
For this lab you need to simply provide the Magnesium Sulfate Hydrate (Epsom
Salt) for the students make sure that if you write out the structure you write
MgSO4 nH2O so that you dont give away the formula
You will want to provide a place for them to put their resulting product so you can
seal it away and use it for the calorimetry lab.
Lab Notes & Common Misconceptions
The final product of this lab should be kept for the calorimetry lab during the
energy unit! You will want to gather up the small white pellets and zip them up in
a baggie to keep them from taking on water. I even had students put their name in
their own baggie with their pellet so they could use their own product for the lab
they would do a few months later.
The Background and Review questions are a perfect pre-lab assignment to send
home with students as homework before the lab.
*I have also seen a lab write-up where an evaporating dish on top of a hot plate
was used. I have not tried that method, but if you dont have crucibles and clay
triangles you can try it yourself before you try it with your class!
This needs to get to a minimum of 250C (482F) so you just need to find a way to
heat it up that hot.
The crucible is heated to a red hot state tell students not to touch it for at least
10 minutes after the fire is turned off in order to keep them from burning
themselves.
You can really push students to have good lab practice by having them wash their
crucible, then heat it to dry, then add the crystals. You can also require them not
to touch the crucible after washing to keep their oils off of the crucible. Many lab
write-ups have students repeat the heating process after the first time to ensure
that all water is removed. I have not found any of these steps to have a serious
impact on their lab so I cut them out to save time, however, feel free to add them
back in if you would like!
Let us know how it went! Go to www.ClarkeChemistry.com/feedback or email
Jewyl@ClarkeChemistry.com
Connections & Application
During the thermodynamics unit you will do a calorimetry lab to get the energy back out
of these pellets that you just used in removing the water. Check out the HASPI Hot Pack
Calorimetry lab for more information.
There are other hydrates you can do this with as well if you want to give the students a
challenge.
Do the % composition of gum mini-lab as a follow up or as a test to see if students can
find the percent sugar in gum.
References:
http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-998MAGNESIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=998&activeIngredientName=MAGNESIUM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules
Page 3
Page 4
Name(s):
Period:
Date:
Hydrated Crystals
HASPI Medical Chemistry Lab 4a
http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/
Protein synthesis
Muscle contraction
Brain and nerve function
Blood glucose control
Blood pressure regulation
Energy production
Structural development of bones
DNA and RNA synthesis
Neutralizing stomach acid and
peristalsis in the intestines
The average persons body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, with 50-60%
stored in the bones. People get their magnesium through their diet and levels are
largely controlled by the kidneys. On average, about 120mg of magnesium is
excreted into urine each day, so it is important to maintin a diet rich in magnesium
to maintin the needed levels.
Dietary Intake of
Magnesium
Nuts, seeds, whole grains,
and vegetables like
broccoli, squash, and
spinach are good sources of
magnesium because there
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/ResourceCentres/Nutrition/Food-fundamentals/Vitamins-and-minerals/Pages/Magnesium.aspx
is a magnesium atom within each chlorophyll molecule. In general, foods that are
high in fiber tend to be high in magnesium. Other sources include dairy products,
meats, chocolate, and coffee. Sometimes magnesium supplements are needed if
magnesium levels are too low and are readily
available in a variety of forms.
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/
Page 5
Magnesium
dietary intake is
habitually low intake
magnesium due to
chronic alcoholism,
medications. Signs
can be as mild as a
vomiting, and
cases individuals
and tingling,
contractions and
personality changes,
and hypocalcaemia
of calcium and
disruption in mineral
Table 1: Recommended
Dietary Allowances for
Magnesium
Age
Birth
6
month
s
7-12
month
s
M
a
l
e
3
0
Fe
30
m
g
7
5
75
m
g
1-3
years
8
0
80
m
g
4-8
years
1
3
0
13
m
g
9-13
years
2
4
0
24
m
g
14-18
years
4
1
0
36
m
g
19-30
years
4
0
0
31
m
g
31-50
years
4
2
0
that magnesium
be involved in
disease, type 2 diabetes,
migraine headaches. While
large trials are needed for
some studies suggest that
supplementation can cause
blood pressure among
patients and reduce the risk
diets with higher amounts of
associated with significantly
diabetes, osteoporosis, and
headaches.
magnesium is not a big
properly functioning kidneys
amounts in urine. However,
magnesium from dietary
medication can result in
abdominal discomfort.
in the body usually only
individuals consume
mg/day, which is more than
recommended daily
32
Magnesiusm in
Medications and
g
Treatments
51+
4
years
2
Magnesium sulfate
(MgSO4), also known as
0
Epsom Salt, is one of
many magnesium
32
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules
Page 6
m
g
containing compounds that can be used for medical treatment. Magnesium sulfate
can be prescribed for many reasons and can be bought at the local grocery store
for a number of home remedies. If taken orally, magnesium sulfate holds on to
water in the large intestine, preventing the body from reabsorbing fluids. This will
cause the bowels to evacuate and can help someone who has constipation.
Magnesium also depresses the central nervous system, blocking nerve signals in
the muscle. Soaking in a bathtub of warm water and Epsom Salt can help alleviate
body aches and pains. If prescribed by a doctor, other magnesium containing
compounds can help stop seizures by limiting muscle movements.
Magnesium can also be used for treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD, anxiety, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and if applied
topically it can be used to treat infected skin ulcers and speed up wound healing.
Epsom Salts
In this lab you will be working with a hydrated crystal that includes magnesium and
sulfate ions as well as water molecules. This crystal can be used for many
purposes, from soaking your feet to taking it in a drink or even as a mineral to
sprinkle throughout your garden. Once the water is removed the remaining
magnesium sulfate can act as a desiccant to dry things out, or can be used as part
of a hot pack. This is a fantastic and low cost substance with many wonderful
uses.
Review Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Period:
Date:
words.
Hydrated Crystals
Objectives
By the end of this lab students will be able to
Find the molar mass of a hydrate and an anhydrate
Find the percent water in a hydrate
Identify the number of water molecules within the chemical formula for an
anhydrate
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules
Page 7
Materials
Safety Goggles
Bunsen Burner
Ring Stand
Clay Triangle
Forceps
Crucible
Digital Scale
Page 8
Scenario
A water
molecule
has a strong
dipole,
which
means it
http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookCHEM2.html
has partial
charges on either end. This is due to the asymmetric structure of water and
the uneven electronegativity between hydrogen and water. Because of
these partial charges, water is very attracted to ions.
This attraction is the reason that ionic substances dissolve and dissociate
in water. The water surrounds the ions so that it can move around in the
solution. In some cases, the water and the ions are so strongly attracted
that when the water is evaporated from the solution some of the water
molecules are trapped within the crystals that form. This happens in specific
ratios for the chemicals that form hydrates.
Removing water from the system requires energy, which makes the removal
of water an endothermic reaction. For many hydrates you can merely heat
them for a period of time in order to force out the water. Once you have
removed the water we call these an anhydrate, a term used for the
compound once the water is removed. This also means that if you add
water it is an exothermic process, where the energy is released as water is
re-integrated into the crystalline structure.
Procedure/Directions
Your lab team will be giving tasks, or directions, to perform on the left. Record your
questions, observations, or required response to each task on the right.
Task
Response
http://s-l-a-m-chemnotes.blogspot.com/2010/12/lab-4c.html
Be sure to keep your work area neat and organized. Wear safety goggles at all
times at your work station and secure all long hair and loose clothing.
___________________g
___________________g
Mass of hydrate sample:
___________________g
___________________g
Cleanup: Once cooled, remove the pellet of anhydrate from the crucible. Ask your
teacher where to put it, as you will likely save the pellet for another lab on
thermodynamics later in the year. Carefully rinse out the crucible and dry it as
completely as possible so that it is ready for the next class.
CALCULATIONS
________________
___g
________________
___g
Mass of H2O:
___________________g
Moles of H2O:
Moles water =
Moles MgSO4
__1__MgSO4______________H2O
TheoreticalEperimental
100
Theoretical
Measurements
Hydrated sample
Anhydrous sample
H20 in sample
Empirical Formula
Analysis Questions
Magnesium
Sulfate
g
g
g
g
g
g
g
mol
mol
____MgSO4
____ H2O
Measurements
Copper II
Sulfate
39.47 g
35.44 g
Hydrated sample
37.84 g
sample
Crucible and cover
Anhydrous sample
H20 in sample
g
mol
mol
Empirical Formula
35.44 g
____CuSO4 ____
H2O
List of references
http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-998MAGNESIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=998&activeIngredientName=MAGNESIUM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/
http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/nutritionist/
https://www.cdrnet.org/
http://www.nutritioned.org/california-nutritionist.html