water of crystallization

Thân thiện

A student observes blue copper sulfate crystals containing water of crystallization.

Definition

Noun: - The water present in hydrated compounds: Water of crystallization refers to water molecules that are chemically bound within the crystal structure of a compound. This water is an integral part of the crystalline form and is present in a fixed, stoichiometric ratio. It is not merely trapped but is part of the compound's molecular architecture, often contributing to the crystal's shape and stability. The water can usually be removed by heating, which often alters the substance's physical properties and crystal structure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate contains five molecules of water of crystallization per formula unit.
  • When gypsum is heated, it loses its water of crystallization and becomes plaster of Paris.
  • The presence of water of crystallization gives these salts their characteristic crystalline form.

Advanced Usage

• "To drive off the water of crystallization": To remove the bound water molecules, typically through heating.
  • The experiment involved driving off the water of crystallization from the sample to determine its anhydrous mass.

Variants and Related Words

• Water of hydration (n): A synonymous term for water of crystallization.
  • The terms "water of crystallization" and "water of hydration" are often used interchangeably in chemistry.
• Hydrate (n): A compound that contains water of crystallization.
  • Washing soda is a hydrate of sodium carbonate.
• Anhydrous (adj): Describing a substance from which all water of crystallization has been removed.
  • The anhydrous form of the compound is a white powder.

Synonyms

• Water of hydration: Bound water in a crystalline compound.
• Crystal water: Water incorporated into a crystal lattice.

Related Phrases

• Lose its water of crystallization: To undergo dehydration.
  • The blue crystals will turn white as they lose their water of crystallization.
• Contain water of crystallization: To be in a hydrated state.
  • Many common laboratory salts contain water of crystallization.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the water present in hydrated compounds

Từ đồng nghĩa

• water of crystallisation
• water of hydration