A student investigated the dehydration of hydrated copper(II) sulfate by heating the crystals in a crucible.
Their results are shown in the table below.
| Experiment | Mass of hydrated salt used / g | Mass of anhydrous salt obtained / g | Mass of water lost / g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.50 | 0.32 | 0.18 |
| 2 | 1.00 | 0.64 | 0.36 |
| 3 | 1.50 | 0.96 | 0.54 |
| 4 | 2.00 | 1.40 | 0.60 |
| 5 | 2.50 | 1.60 | 0.90 |
| 6 | 3.00 | 1.92 | 1.08 |
The result for experiment 4 is anomalous. The masses of the reactants and products were all measured accurately on a balance.
Suggest one experimental reason for this anomalous result.
258 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Calculations involving masses. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.