In an experiment, a student gently heated a hydrated copper compound to remove the water of hydration. the following data was recorded:

1. mass of the crucible, cover and contents before heating 23.4g.

2. mass of empty crucible and cover.

3. mass of crucible, cover, and contents after heating to constant mass 20.94g

The unknown of this problem is the experimental percent of water in the compound in order to remove the water of hydrogen, given the following:

Mass of crucible, cover and contents before heating 23.54 g

Mass of empty crucible and cover 18.82 g

Mass of crucible, cover, and contents after heating to constant mass 20.94 g

In order to get the answer, determine the following:

Mass of hydrated salt used = 23.54 g - 18.82 g = 4.72 g

Mass of dehydrated salt after heating = 20.94 g - 18.82 g = 2.12 g

Mass of water liberated from salt = 4.72 g - 2.12 g = 2.60 g

Then solve the percent of water in the hydrated salt by:

% water = (mass of water / mass of hydrated salt) x 100

% water = 2.60 g / 4.72 g x 100

% water = 55.08 % in the compound