Hydrates are compounds
that readily absorb water into their crystal structure. When a hydrate decomposes,
water is removed. The general pattern of a decomposition of a hydrate reaction
is:
AB*xH2O
--> AB + xH2O
Look at the example below. Example #1: BaI2
* 2H2O(s) --> BaI2(s)
+ 2H2O(l)
Barium iodide dihydrate decomposes (usually by adding heat) to release water
vapor.
Now
let’s go step by step.
Predict the products when solid copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate decomposes.
Description
of Action
Action
1. Write the formula for the given reactant.
CuSO4
* 5H2O(s) -->
2. On the products side of the equation, separate
the water from the salt with a plus sign. The formula of the salt
is unchanged. The number of water molecules in the hydrate formula
should be used as the coefficient for the water molecule.
