Heating Calcium Chloride Dihydrate

In summary, the melting point of calcium chloride dihydrate is 176 °C (348 °F). When heated, it loses water molecules and becomes anhydrous calcium chloride, resulting in changes in physical properties. It can be heated multiple times, but each time it will lose more water molecules. The purpose of heating it is to create anhydrous calcium chloride for various uses. This process is irreversible, but the anhydrous form can be dissolved in water to reform calcium chloride dihydrate.
  • #1
Andronicus1717
32
1
What physically happens to the water when you heat CaCl2*2H2O above it's decomposition temperature 175 deg C? Does the water just vaporize? Or does it partially dissolve some of the calcium chloride in an aqueous solution and then boil away?
 
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  • #2
The water evaporates and one then has an anhydrous salt.
 
  • #3
If the temperature used to heat the salt is substantially below 175C, the water leaves as a vapor leaving a solid powdery anhydride. If the temperature is near or above 175C, the calcium chloride melts and the water bubbles away leaving a mass of chunky calcium chloride solid.
 

1. What is the melting point of calcium chloride dihydrate?

The melting point of calcium chloride dihydrate is 176 °C (348 °F).

2. How does heating calcium chloride dihydrate affect its physical properties?

When heated, calcium chloride dihydrate loses its water molecules and becomes anhydrous calcium chloride. This results in a change in its physical properties, such as a decrease in solubility and an increase in hygroscopicity.

3. Can calcium chloride dihydrate be heated multiple times?

Yes, calcium chloride dihydrate can be heated multiple times. However, each time it is heated, it will continue to lose more water molecules and eventually become anhydrous calcium chloride.

4. What is the purpose of heating calcium chloride dihydrate?

The purpose of heating calcium chloride dihydrate is to remove its water molecules and create anhydrous calcium chloride, which is commonly used as a drying agent, de-icer, and in various industrial processes.

5. Is heating calcium chloride dihydrate a reversible process?

No, heating calcium chloride dihydrate is an irreversible process. Once the water molecules are removed, it cannot be reversed to its original form. However, anhydrous calcium chloride can be dissolved in water to form calcium chloride dihydrate again.

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