Question

Define water of crystallization. Give any three examples of hydrated salts along with their common names.

Answer 1

Part 1: Water of crystallization

• The definite amount of water molecules that are united with one formula unit of salt is called water of crystallization.
• It is a loose chemical combination and could be driven off by heating.

Part 2: Examples of hydrated salts along with their common names

Chemical name	Common Name	Formula
Sodium carbonate decahydrate	Washing soda	${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3.10{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
Copper sulfate pentahydrate	Blue Vitriol	${\mathrm{CuSO}}_4.5{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
Hydrated Potassium aluminium sulphate	Potash alum	${\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4.{\mathrm{Al}}_2{\left({\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)}_3.24{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
Iron sulphate heptahydrate	Green vitriol	${\mathrm{FeSO}}_4.7{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$