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Chemical formulae, equations and calculations

Chemical formulae, equations and calculations

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Question 62

The equation for the thermal dehydration of hydrated copper(II) sulfate is:

CuSO4⋅5H2O(s)→CuSO4(s)+5H2O(g) \text{CuSO}_4\cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{s}) \rightarrow \text{CuSO}_4(\text{s}) + 5\text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{g}) CuSO4​⋅5H2​O(s)→CuSO4​(s)+5H2​O(g)

A student investigates the dehydration of hydrated copper(II) sulfate using a crucible and lid heated on a clay pipe triangle.

She uses this method:

  • weigh the crucible, lid and hydrated copper(II) sulfate
  • heat the crucible, lid and contents for 2 minutes
  • allow to cool and then reweigh
  • heat for a second period of 2 minutes
  • allow to cool and then reweigh
  • heat for a third period of 2 minutes
  • allow to cool and then reweigh

The table shows the student's results:

ExperimentMass before heating (g)Mass after heating for 2 minutes (g)Mass after heating for 4 minutes (g)Mass after heating for 6 minutes (g)
124.521.821.821.8
225.222.421.621.1
324.822.022.022.0
425.022.222.222.2
a.

Why does the mass decrease during heating?

[1]
b.

State the colours of the solids in the reaction:

  • CuSO4⋅5H2O(s)\text{CuSO}_4\cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{s})CuSO4​⋅5H2​O(s): __________
  • CuSO4(s)\text{CuSO}_4(\text{s})CuSO4​(s): __________
[2]
c.

(i) In which experiment might the dehydration not be complete? (ii) Give a reason for your choice. (iii) Which statement could explain why the dehydration might not be complete?

  • A The student heated the crucible with the lid off.
  • B The student used less hydrated copper(II) sulfate than in the other experiments.
  • C The student used a gentle yellow flame instead of a roaring blue Bunsen flame.
  • D The student used a larger crucible.
[3]
d.

In another experiment, the student calculates that she should obtain a mass of 4.5 g of CuSO4(s)\text{CuSO}_4(\text{s})CuSO4​(s) after completely dehydrating a sample of CuSO4⋅5H2O(s)\text{CuSO}_4\cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{s})CuSO4​⋅5H2​O(s). She actually obtains a mass of 4.1 g of CuSO4(s)\text{CuSO}_4(\text{s})CuSO4​(s). Calculate the percentage yield in her experiment. Give your answer to two significant figures.

[2]
Markscheme

Chemical formulae, equations and calculations Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /Chemical formulae, equations and calculations

80 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry Chemical formulae, equations and calculations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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