An analyst heated a sample of hydrated barium chloride in a crucible to drive off its water of crystallisation. They recorded the total mass of the crucible and its contents at regular intervals.
| Time (minutes) | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass of crucible and contents (g) | 32.45 | 31.80 | 31.25 | 30.80 | 30.45 | 30.20 | 30.05 | 29.95 |
Explain why these data do not confirm that the dehydration reaction is complete.
