Question

What does one mean by water of crystallization?

Answer 1

Water of crystallization

• For one formula unit of salt, the total number of water molecules is commonly known as the water of crystallization.
• It is also known as water of hydration.

Example

• Hydrated copper sulfate has formula ${\mathrm{CuSO}}_4·5{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$.
• This compound has five molecules of water known as water of crystallization.