Crystalline Nature: NACl & NA2CO3.10H2O Explained

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The discussion centers on the hydration and hygroscopic nature of crystalline solids, specifically addressing sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3.10H2O). It clarifies that not all crystalline solids are hydrated or hygroscopic. Na2CO3.10H2O is a hydrated form of sodium carbonate, while anhydrous sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) can also exist without water. The presence of crystalline water in some substances often results from crystallization from aqueous solutions, making them hygroscopic. However, anhydrous crystals can be produced under specific conditions, and their hygroscopicity is determined by their chemical affinity for water, not solely by their crystalline structure. The example of quartz illustrates that some crystalline materials do not contain water and are not hygroscopic.
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is it necessary that all crystalline solids are hydrated or hygroscopic.
could anyone explain me the case of NACl and NA2CO3.10H2O?
 
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could you be a little more description as to what you're investigating you know some context for your question?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Quartz,_Tibet.jpg

479px-Quartz%2C_Tibet.jpg


No crystalline water, not hygroscopic.

Does it answer your question?
 
is it so that Na2CO3.10H2O crystalline and Na2CO3 not?if not what it is.
 
anigeo said:
is it so that Na2CO3.10H2O crystalline and Na2CO3 not?if not what it is.

Please elaborate, I don't understand your question.

Many substances will contain crystalline water when crystallized from water solutions, and it can be difficult to prepare their anhydrous crystals. In such cases it may mean anhydrous crystals will be very hygroscopic. It doesn't mean every crystal of every substance contains crystalline water and is hygroscopic, as is clearly shown by the quartz example.
 
Some chemicals just tend to have a high affinity to water. So in the case of your Na2CO3 it may well have been crystallized from water or in a wet environment and its affinity for water dictates that the lowest energy pathway to crystallization just so happens to include any nearby water molecules.

You could equally crystallize them in anhydrous conditions but the resulting anhydrous, crystalline, substance is still the same chemical and as such still has its affinity for water which makes it a hygroscopic material.
 
Borek said:
Please elaborate, I don't understand your question.

Many substances will contain crystalline water when crystallized from water solutions, and it can be difficult to prepare their anhydrous crystals. In such cases it may mean anhydrous crystals will be very hygroscopic. It doesn't mean every crystal of every substance contains crystalline water and is hygroscopic, as is clearly shown by the quartz example.

thanks i just thought that anhydrous crystals can never be produced.
 
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