Answer:
5
Explanation:
We can obtain the value of x by doing the following:
Mass of hydrated salt (CuSO4.xH2O) = 1.50g
Mass of anhydrous salt (CuSO4) = 0.96g
Mass of water molecule(xH2O) = 1.50 — 0.96 = 0.54g
Molar Mass of CuSO4.xH2O = 63.5 + 32 + (16x4) + x(2 +16) = 63.5 + 32 + 64 + 18x = 159.5 + 18x
Mass of water(xH2O) molecules in the hydrate salt is given by:
xH2O/CuSO4.xH2O = 0.54/1.5
18x/(159.5 + 18x) = 0.36
Cross multiply to express in linear form
18x = 0.36 (159.5 + 18x)
18x = 57.42 + 6.48x
Collect like terms
18x — 6.48x = 57.42
11.52x = 57.42
Divide both side by 11.52
x = 57.42/11.52
x = 5
Therefore, the unknown integer x is 5 and the formula for the hydrated salt is CuSO4.5H2O