HASPI Medical Chemistry Lab 4a

Hydrated Crystals
Teacher Information
Lab Overview
In this lab students will heat magnesium sulfate hydrate (Epsom salts) until the water
has been removed. They can then calculate the percent water in the hydrate and use
that to calculate the formula of the hydrated crystal and compare it to theoretical data.
Next Generation Science Standards
NGSS/Common Core State Standards
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
HS-PS1-7: Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and
therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
HS-PS1-4: Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a
chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
Medical Application: Magnesium is an essential element within the body and the
background gives them in-depth knowledge of the biological role of magnesium.
Science and Engineering
Practices
Using Mathematics and
Computational Thinking
Use mathematical representations
of phenomena to support claims
Developing and Using Models
Develop a model based on
evidence to illustrate the
relationships between systems or
between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

PS1.B: Chemical Reactions

Energy and Matter
The fact that atoms are conserved, In nuclear processes, atoms are not
together with knowledge of the
conserved, but the total number of
chemical properties of the elements protons plus neutrons is conserved.
involved, can be used to describe Systems and System Models
and predict chemical reactions.
When investigating or describing a
PS1.A: Structure and Properties system, the boundaries and initial
conditions of the system need to be
of Matter
A stable molecule has less energy defined, and their inputs and
outputs analyzed and described
than the same set of atoms
using models.
separated; one must provide at
least this much energy in order to
take the molecule apart.

Connections to other DCIs in this grade-band: HS.PS3.A; HS.PS3.B; HS.PS3.D; HS.LS1.C

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands: MS.PS1.A; MS.PS1.B;
MS.PS2.B; MS.PS3.D; MS.LS1.C; MS.LS2.B; MS.ESS2.A
Common Core State Standards Connections: Mathematics
MP.2
Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (HS-PS1-7)
MP.4
Model with mathematics. (HS-PS1-4)
HSN-Q.A.1
Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose
and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs
and data displays. (HS-PS1-7)
HSN-Q.A.2
Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling. (HS-PS1-7)
HSN-Q.A.3
Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement when reporting
quantities. (HS-PS1-7)
Common Core State Standards Connections: ELA/Literacy
SL.11-12.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements)
in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add
interest. (HS-PS1-4)

HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

Page 1

Objectives
By the end of this activity students will be able to:
Calculate the percent water in a hydrate
Find the moles of a compound used in a lab and find the grams of product
expected from calculated moles
Use an endothermic reaction to remove water from a hydrate
Calculate the empirical formula of a hydrate by comparing the water lost to the
anhydrate remaining
Time

Estimated Time
Setup: 5 minutes

Actual Time (please make note below)

Background and review

questions: 10-20 minutes
Lab: 45 - 50 minutes
Materials
Supplies needed for 5
sections
15 lab groups per period
Magnesium Sulfate Hydrate
Bunsen Burner*
Ring Stand*
Clay Triangle*
Crucible*
Forceps
Digital Balance

Provided
(P) or
Needed (N)
P
N
N
N
N
N
N

Quantit
y
3g/group

Company/
Item #

Approxima
te
Cost

Grocery Store
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Flinn Scientific
Amazon

*see lab notes below if you dont have all of these items for an alternative option

Company Contact Information

Amazon
www.amazon.com

Grocery
Can be found at any local
grocery store

Flinn Scientific
www.flinsci.com
1-800-453-1261

Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should already know the following information:
How to find the molar mass of a substance
How to convert from moles to grams and grams to moles
Basic lab safety information
How to use a Bunsen burner

HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

Page 2

Lab Setup
For this lab you need to simply provide the Magnesium Sulfate Hydrate (Epsom
Salt) for the students make sure that if you write out the structure you write
MgSO4 nH2O so that you dont give away the formula
You will want to provide a place for them to put their resulting product so you can
seal it away and use it for the calorimetry lab.
Lab Notes & Common Misconceptions
The final product of this lab should be kept for the calorimetry lab during the
energy unit! You will want to gather up the small white pellets and zip them up in
a baggie to keep them from taking on water. I even had students put their name in
their own baggie with their pellet so they could use their own product for the lab
they would do a few months later.
The Background and Review questions are a perfect pre-lab assignment to send
home with students as homework before the lab.
*I have also seen a lab write-up where an evaporating dish on top of a hot plate
was used. I have not tried that method, but if you dont have crucibles and clay
triangles you can try it yourself before you try it with your class!
This needs to get to a minimum of 250C (482F) so you just need to find a way to
heat it up that hot.
The crucible is heated to a red hot state tell students not to touch it for at least
10 minutes after the fire is turned off in order to keep them from burning
themselves.
You can really push students to have good lab practice by having them wash their
crucible, then heat it to dry, then add the crystals. You can also require them not
to touch the crucible after washing to keep their oils off of the crucible. Many lab
write-ups have students repeat the heating process after the first time to ensure
that all water is removed. I have not found any of these steps to have a serious
impact on their lab so I cut them out to save time, however, feel free to add them
back in if you would like!
Let us know how it went! Go to www.ClarkeChemistry.com/feedback or email
Jewyl@ClarkeChemistry.com
Connections & Application
During the thermodynamics unit you will do a calorimetry lab to get the energy back out
of these pellets that you just used in removing the water. Check out the HASPI Hot Pack
Calorimetry lab for more information.
There are other hydrates you can do this with as well if you want to give the students a
challenge.
Do the % composition of gum mini-lab as a follow up or as a test to see if students can
find the percent sugar in gum.
References:
http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-998MAGNESIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=998&activeIngredientName=MAGNESIUM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules
Page 3

HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

Page 4

Name(s):

Period:

Date:

Hydrated Crystals
HASPI Medical Chemistry Lab 4a

http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/

Background: Magnesium in the Body

Magnesium (Mg) is a mineral that is present in large amounts in the human body. It is an
essential cofactor in more than 300 chemical reactions that keep the body working
properly, including but not limited to:

Protein synthesis
Muscle contraction
Brain and nerve function
Blood glucose control
Blood pressure regulation

Energy production
Structural development of bones
DNA and RNA synthesis
Neutralizing stomach acid and
peristalsis in the intestines

The average persons body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, with 50-60%
stored in the bones. People get their magnesium through their diet and levels are
largely controlled by the kidneys. On average, about 120mg of magnesium is
excreted into urine each day, so it is important to maintin a diet rich in magnesium
to maintin the needed levels.
Dietary Intake of
Magnesium
Nuts, seeds, whole grains,
and vegetables like
broccoli, squash, and
spinach are good sources of
magnesium because there
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/ResourceCentres/Nutrition/Food-fundamentals/Vitamins-and-minerals/Pages/Magnesium.aspx
is a magnesium atom within each chlorophyll molecule. In general, foods that are
high in fiber tend to be high in magnesium. Other sources include dairy products,
meats, chocolate, and coffee. Sometimes magnesium supplements are needed if
magnesium levels are too low and are readily
available in a variety of forms.

Magnesiusm and Health

HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/

Page 5

Magnesium
dietary intake is
habitually low intake
magnesium due to
chronic alcoholism,
medications. Signs
can be as mild as a
vomiting, and
cases individuals
and tingling,
contractions and
personality changes,
and hypocalcaemia
of calcium and
disruption in mineral

Table 1: Recommended
Dietary Allowances for
Magnesium

Age

Birth
6
month
s

7-12
month
s

M
a
l
e
3
0

Fe

30

m
g
7
5

75

m
g

1-3
years

8
0

deficiency due to low

uncommon but risks include
or excessive losses of
certain health conditions,
and/or the use of certain
of magnesium deficiency
loss of appetite, nausea,
fatigue. In more severe
may experience numbness
uncontrolled muscle
cramps, seizures,
abnormal heart rhythms,
or hypokalemia (low levels
potassium due to a
homeostasis).

80
m
g

Research has shown

deficiencies might
cardiovascular
osteoporosis, and
more well-designed,
more evidence,
magnesium
a small decrease in
hypertension
of stroke. Likewise,
magnesium are
lower risks of
chronic migraine
Too much
health risk because
eliminate excess
high doses of
supplements or
diarrhea and
Magnesium toxicity
occurs when
upwards of 5,000
ten times the FDAs
allowance.

4-8
years

1
3
0

13

m
g

9-13
years

2
4
0

24

m
g

14-18
years

4
1
0

36

m
g

19-30
years

4
0
0

31

m
g

31-50
years

4
2
0

that magnesium
be involved in
disease, type 2 diabetes,
migraine headaches. While
large trials are needed for
some studies suggest that
supplementation can cause
blood pressure among
patients and reduce the risk
diets with higher amounts of
associated with significantly
diabetes, osteoporosis, and
headaches.
magnesium is not a big
properly functioning kidneys
amounts in urine. However,
magnesium from dietary
medication can result in
abdominal discomfort.
in the body usually only
individuals consume
mg/day, which is more than
recommended daily

32

Magnesiusm in
Medications and
g
Treatments
51+
4
years
2
Magnesium sulfate
(MgSO4), also known as

0
Epsom Salt, is one of
many magnesium
32
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules
Page 6
m
g

Table 1 outlines the Food

containing compounds that can be used for medical treatment. Magnesium sulfate
can be prescribed for many reasons and can be bought at the local grocery store
for a number of home remedies. If taken orally, magnesium sulfate holds on to
water in the large intestine, preventing the body from reabsorbing fluids. This will
cause the bowels to evacuate and can help someone who has constipation.
Magnesium also depresses the central nervous system, blocking nerve signals in
the muscle. Soaking in a bathtub of warm water and Epsom Salt can help alleviate
body aches and pains. If prescribed by a doctor, other magnesium containing
compounds can help stop seizures by limiting muscle movements.
Magnesium can also be used for treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD, anxiety, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and if applied
topically it can be used to treat infected skin ulcers and speed up wound healing.
Epsom Salts
In this lab you will be working with a hydrated crystal that includes magnesium and
sulfate ions as well as water molecules. This crystal can be used for many
purposes, from soaking your feet to taking it in a drink or even as a mineral to
sprinkle throughout your garden. Once the water is removed the remaining
magnesium sulfate can act as a desiccant to dry things out, or can be used as part
of a hot pack. This is a fantastic and low cost substance with many wonderful
uses.

Review Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What role(s) does magnesium play in the human body?

How does the body regulate magnesium levels?
What types of foods are good sources of magnesium?
What is your recommended daily intake of magnesium according to the FDA?
Why do you think the recommended daily allowance of magnesium increases for
pregnant females?
6. Is it possible to have too little/too much magnesium in your body? What happens if
that occurs?
7. Research Epsom salts and explain how they can be used for medical purposes.
8. Explain the terms hydrate and anhydrate including the difference between the two
Name(s):

Period:

Date:

words.

Hydrated Crystals

HASPI Medical Chemistry Lab 4a

Objectives
By the end of this lab students will be able to
Find the molar mass of a hydrate and an anhydrate
Find the percent water in a hydrate
Identify the number of water molecules within the chemical formula for an
anhydrate
HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

Page 7

Materials

Safety Goggles
Bunsen Burner
Ring Stand
Clay Triangle

Forceps
Crucible
Digital Scale

HASPI Medical Chemistry Unit 4: Molecules

Page 8

Scenario
A water
molecule
has a strong
dipole,
which
means it
http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookCHEM2.html
has partial
charges on either end. This is due to the asymmetric structure of water and
the uneven electronegativity between hydrogen and water. Because of
these partial charges, water is very attracted to ions.

This attraction is the reason that ionic substances dissolve and dissociate
in water. The water surrounds the ions so that it can move around in the
solution. In some cases, the water and the ions are so strongly attracted
that when the water is evaporated from the solution some of the water
molecules are trapped within the crystals that form. This happens in specific
ratios for the chemicals that form hydrates.

In this lab we are going to work with

Magnesium Sulfate Hydrate, a crystal made
of MgSO4 and water. Your goal is to find the
number of water molecules for each magnesium
http://www.scbt.com/datasheet-250285-magnesium-sulfate-monohydrate.html
sulfate in the hydrate.

Removing water from the system requires energy, which makes the removal
of water an endothermic reaction. For many hydrates you can merely heat
them for a period of time in order to force out the water. Once you have
removed the water we call these an anhydrate, a term used for the
compound once the water is removed. This also means that if you add
water it is an exothermic process, where the energy is released as water is
re-integrated into the crystalline structure.

Procedure/Directions
Your lab team will be giving tasks, or directions, to perform on the left. Record your
questions, observations, or required response to each task on the right.

Task

Response
http://s-l-a-m-chemnotes.blogspot.com/2010/12/lab-4c.html

Obtain the necessary materials provided by your instructor.

Set up your Bunsen burner, stand, and clay triangle.

Be sure to keep your work area neat and organized. Wear safety goggles at all
times at your work station and secure all long hair and loose clothing.

Find the mass of your crucible and

cover. Record your measurement.

Mass of crucible & cover:

___________________g

Add 2.5-3 grams of Magnesium Sulfate

Hydrate to your crucible
Find the mass of your crucible, cover,
and magnesium sulfate sample.
Record your measurement.
Using your measurement in step 2,
calculate the mass of just your
magnesium sulfate hydrate sample.

Mass of crucible, cover & sample:

___________________g
Mass of hydrate sample:

___________________g

Carefully place your crucible, cover and

sample on the clay triangle and heat
over a Bunsen burner for 10 minutes.
Mark the time you start the heating
process and calculate the time you
need to remove your sample from the
heat.

Heat Start Time:

______________________

Heat End Time:

_______________________

While heating your sample, you may work on

another assignment given to you by your
instructor. Be mindful of your Bunsen burner
and work area.

Turn off your Bunsen burner and let

your crucible, cover, and sample cool
down for 20 minutes. Mark the time
you turned off the Bunsen burner and
the time it is safe to handle the
crucible.

While cooling your sample, you may

work on another assignment given to
you by your instructor. Be mindful of
your Bunsen burner and work area.

Cooling Start Time:

____________________

Cooling End Time:

____________________

Once your crucible is cool enough to

handle, find the mass of the crucible,
cover and heated sample. Record
your measurement.

Since you already know the mass of

Mass of crucible, cover & heated

sample:

___________________g

crucible and cover (step 2), calculate

the mass of the heated, anhydrous
sample.

Mass of crucible & cover:

___________________g

Mass of anhydrous sample:

__________________g

Cleanup: Once cooled, remove the pellet of anhydrate from the crucible. Ask your
teacher where to put it, as you will likely save the pellet for another lab on
thermodynamics later in the year. Carefully rinse out the crucible and dry it as
completely as possible so that it is ready for the next class.
CALCULATIONS

Using the data you gathered in step 3

and step 6, calculate the amount of
H2O in your sample. Remember to
use the correct number of significant
figures. Show your work.

Mass of hydrate sample (Step 3):

________________
___g

Mass of anhydrous sample (Step

6):

________________
___g

Mass of H2O:
___________________g

Calculate the moles of H2O present in

your original MgSO4XH2O hydrate
sample.
Remember to use the correct number
of significant figures. Show your work
here:

Moles of H2O:

Find the molar mass of MgSO4

Show your work here:

Calculate the moles of anhydrous

MgSO4 present in your sample. Show
your work here:

Remember to use the correct

number of significant figures.
Moles MgSO4 in sample:

Derive an empirical formula (ratio

between H2O and anhydrous MgSO4)
for your original hydrated sample.
Use the moles calculated in steps 8
and 9. Divide the moles of water by
the moles of MgSO4 to find the
number of water molecules in the
formula.

Moles water =
Moles MgSO4

Remember to use the correct

number of significant figures.

__1__MgSO4______________H2O

Calculate the percent of water in a

perfect sample of magnesium sulfate.
First find the molar mass using the
known formula MgSO4 7H2O, then
find the percent water in the hydrate.

Molar Mass of MgSO4 7H2O:

Theoretical percent water by mass:

Calculate the percent of water in the

magnesium sulfate sample from your
lab results.
Grams of water x100=
Grams of hydrate

*you may find this information in step 7 above

Experimental percent water by

mass:

Calculate your percent of error based

on results of steps 12 and 13. Use
your final% answers and plug in to %
error formula

TheoreticalEperimental
100

Theoretical

Analysis & Interpretation

Summarize your data into the following data table:

Measurements

Crucible, cover & sample

Crucible and cover

Hydrated sample

Crucible, cover & heated

sample

Crucible and cover

Anhydrous sample

H20 in sample

Moles of H20 in sample

Moles of anhydrous sample

Empirical Formula

Analysis Questions

Magnesium
Sulfate
g
g
g

g
g
g

g
mol
mol

____MgSO4
____ H2O

1. Explain why water is highly attracted to ions.

2. In this lab, you turned Magnesium Sulfate Hydrate into an anhydrous compound. Is
this an exothermic or endothermic reaction? Explain your answer.
3. The method used in this experiment to find the percentage of water in the hydrated
crystals is not suitable for all hydrates. Give at least two reasons why this may be so.
4. Why should the mass of the crucible be measured immediately after the crucible
cools and not later?
5. Discuss 2 possible unavoidable reasons for your observed percent error.
6. Your lab procedures were reproduced for a different hydrate sample, Copper II Sulfate,
CuSO4 H2O. If the following values were taken before and after the sample was
heated, fill in the remainder of the data table to find the amount (in moles) of H2O and
Copper II Sulfate in in your sample.

Measurements

Copper II
Sulfate

Crucible, cover & sample

39.47 g

Crucible and cover

35.44 g

Hydrated sample

Crucible, cover & heated

37.84 g

sample
Crucible and cover
Anhydrous sample

H20 in sample

g
mol

Moles of anhydrous sample

mol

Empirical Formula

Moles of H20 in sample

35.44 g

____CuSO4 ____
H2O

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Resources and References

List of references
http://consideringyou.com/consider-this/all-about-magnesium/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-998MAGNESIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=998&activeIngredientName=MAGNESIUM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/what-is-function/
http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/nutritionist/
https://www.cdrnet.org/
http://www.nutritioned.org/california-nutritionist.html