Question

What is obtained when gypsum is heated at $373\mathrm{K}$?

Answer 1

Gypsum:

• Gypsum is the common name for calcium sulfate dihydrate having the chemical formula, ${\mathrm{CaSO}}_4.2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$.

Chemical Reaction:

• Heating gypsum at $373\mathrm{K}$ results in loss of water of crystallization, forming plaster of Paris $({\mathrm{CaSO}}_4.\frac{1}{2}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O})$ as the product.
• The chemical reaction is as follows,
• ${\mathrm{CaSO}}_4.2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to {\mathrm{CaSO}}_4·\frac{1}{2}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+\frac{3}{2}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$