A student investigated the change in mass when hydrated magnesium sulfate was heated.
The word equation for the reaction is:
hydrated magnesium sulfate⇌anhydrous magnesium sulfate+water \text{hydrated magnesium sulfate} \rightleftharpoons \text{anhydrous magnesium sulfate} + \text{water} hydrated magnesium sulfate⇌anhydrous magnesium sulfate+waterThis is the method used:
Table 1 shows the results.
| Total heating time in minutes | Mass of crucible and contents in grams |
|---|---|
| 0 | 42.85 |
| 2 | 41.80 |
| 4 | 41.15 |
| 6 | 41.15 |
Questions:
Determine the mass of the empty porcelain crucible.
Explain why the mass of the crucible and contents decreased.
Suggest why the crucible and contents were heated until the mass did not change.
When 246.5 g246.5\text{ g}246.5 g of hydrated magnesium sulfate is heated until the mass does not change, 354 kJ354\text{ kJ}354 kJ of energy is taken in. The student heated 3.50 g3.50\text{ g}3.50 g of hydrated magnesium sulfate until the mass did not change. Calculate the energy taken in during this reaction. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
What type of reaction, in terms of energy transfer, takes place when hydrated magnesium sulfate is heated?