How to multiply chemical compounds together?

In summary, the notation CuSO4•5H2O refers to a penta-hydrate of copper sulphate in which each molecule of copper sulphate is associated with five water molecules. This notation is commonly used in chemistry to indicate the presence of water in a compound. The mass of each element in the compound can be calculated based on this formula.
  • #1
PhizKid
477
1

Homework Statement


[itex]CuSO_4 \cdot 5H_20[/itex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


We never learned this. I don't even know what it means to "multiply" compounds together...doesn't make any sense to me
 
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  • #2
In what context are you seeing this notation?

I suspect what you are seeing is the notation for a hydrate - a copper-sulphate crystal with water in it.
 
  • #3
it says to find the mass of each element. then that formula is given
 
  • #4
If you give a complete problem statement, your chances of receiving help will increase.
 
  • #5
Well ... that notation normally means that each copper-sulphate molecule has 5 water molecules associated with it in the lattice. Copper-sulphate is a penta-hydrate ... heat the crystal and you see steam comes off, and you end up with anhydrous copper sulphate, which is a white powder. The water gives it that characteristic blue rhomboid crystal.

it says to find the mass of each element. then that formula is given
That's the raw question - but what is the context?
You are doing a chemistry course and they have reach a particular topic involving...
The mass of each element ... present... in a crystal ... in a particular concentration of solution...

Anyway:
The penta-hydrate copper sulphate compound would have 9 oxygen atoms for example... 5 from the water and 4 from the copper-sulphate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper(II)_sulfate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrate
 
Last edited:
  • #6
PhizKid said:

Homework Statement


[itex]CuSO_4 \cdot 5H_20[/itex]
I believe this has been well explained. The dot and the right side represents the water of crystallisation.

If you need to mix a 1M solution of copper sulphate, you need to know how much to weigh out. It is important that you calculate the weight based on CuSO4•5H2O and add that to a flask of water then top it up to the 1 litre mark.

Your solution would not be 1M if you kept to the formula CuSO4 when using blue crystals of copper sulphate (these being CuSO4•5H2O, the common form of copper sulphate).
 

FAQ: How to multiply chemical compounds together?

How do you calculate the molecular weight of a compound?

The molecular weight of a compound is calculated by adding up the atomic weights of all the atoms present in the compound. The atomic weights can be found on the periodic table. For example, the molecular weight of water (H2O) would be calculated as 2(1.008) + 1(16.00) = 18.02 g/mol.

What is the difference between molarity and molality?

Molarity (M) is a measure of the concentration of a solution in terms of moles of solute per liter of solution. Molality (m) is a measure of the concentration of a solution in terms of moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Molarity is temperature-dependent, while molality is not. Therefore, molality is preferred for measuring the concentration of a solution in reactions that involve temperature changes.

How do you balance a chemical equation?

A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. To balance an equation, start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides. Then, use coefficients to adjust the number of molecules or compounds to achieve the same number of atoms on both sides.

What is the purpose of stoichiometry in multiplying chemical compounds?

Stoichiometry is the calculation of the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows scientists to predict the amount of product that will be formed from a given amount of reactants, or vice versa. This is important in multiplying chemical compounds because it ensures that the correct amount of each reactant is used to produce the desired amount of product.

How do you convert between moles and grams?

To convert from moles to grams, you can use the molar mass of the compound. Multiply the number of moles by the molar mass to get the number of grams. To convert from grams to moles, divide the number of grams by the molar mass. The units of moles and grams are often used interchangeably in chemical calculations.

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