How Can I Record My Copper Sulphate Experiment?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a school experiment involving the heating of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) to determine the molar ratio of water to copper sulfate. Participants seek clarification on how to articulate the experiment's procedure and the assumptions made during the process.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the experiment, stating they measured the mass of hydrated copper sulfate, heated it, measured the mass again, and calculated the mass of water lost.
  • Another participant questions whether the original post included all necessary procedural steps, specifically regarding measurements taken during the experiment.
  • There is a discussion about the assumption that the mass lost during heating corresponds to the mass of water lost, leading to the calculation of the molar ratio of water to copper sulfate.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how to write up the experiment, indicating a difference in chemistry education between countries.
  • Another participant reassures that chemistry concepts remain consistent despite variations in teaching methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the procedure and assumptions made during the experiment, though there is some uncertainty about how to effectively communicate these details in writing. The discussion reflects differing educational experiences without reaching a consensus on the best way to present the experiment.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that certain important aspects of the experiment may not have been emphasized in their respective educational systems, which could affect their understanding of the procedure.

Ziliba
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Hello!
I need a little help! At school we did an experiment. We took cooper sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) and heated it.Then we tried to see whether there are five moles of water to each mole of cooper sulphate.
I am asked to "start with a brief statement of how the experiment allowed you to determine the value of n and the assumptions made".
Maybe, someone can explain me what do they need from me? I don't understand.
Thank you in advance!
 
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Ziliba said:
At school we did an experiment. We took cooper sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) and heated it.

Was it a full procedure, or were there operations that you have not listed?
 
Nope.
We took hydrated cooper sulphate,measured it, heated it, measured again, calculated the mass of water, turned everything in moles, saw the ratio.
 
Borek said:
Was it a full procedure, or were there operations that you have not listed?
Nope.
We took hydrated cooper sulphate,measured it, heated it, measured again, calculated the mass of water, turned everything in moles, saw the ratio.
 
By my book "measurement" qualifies as an operation that is part of the procedure, you have not listed it in your original post - just just said "we heated it".

So, what kind of a measurement it was? Length? Time?
 
Borek said:
By my book "measurement" qualifies as an operation that is part of the procedure, you have not listed it in your original post - just just said "we heated it".

So, what kind of a measurement it was? Length? Time?

Sorry! I'm not used to writing about such things(
We measured the mass of hydrated sulphate, then we measured the mass of dehydrated cooper sulphate.
m(H2O)=m(hydrated CuSO4) - m(dehydrated CuSO4)
then we converted m(H2O) and m(dehydrated CuSO4) into moles.
then we found the ratio n(CuSO4):n(H2O)
 
So you assumed mass lost was that of the water lost, and based on this assumption you found molar ratio of water to copper sulfate?
 
Borek said:
So you assumed mass lost was that of the water lost, and based on this assumption you found molar ratio of water to copper sulfate?
...Yes:nb)
 
And you still don't know what to write? ;)
 
  • #10
Borek said:
And you still don't know what to write? ;)

The experiment above allowed me to determine the ratio between the cooper sulphate and the water by measuring the mass of cooper sulphate before and after heating (We assumed that the mass lost was that of the water lost).
 
  • #11
I just... Chemistry here is so different than in my country oo)
 
  • #12
Would be enough for me.
 
  • #13
Ziliba said:
I just... Chemistry here is so different than in my country oo)

Chemistry is the same, teaching can be different.
 
  • #14
Borek said:
Chemistry is the same, teaching can be different.
No! Half of the things which are considered to be very important here are not even mentioned in my country!

Anyway, thank you very much! I'm happy now:)
 

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