Gypsum is a mineral that is used in the construction industry to make drywall (sheetrock). The chemical formula for this hydrated compound is CaS04 • 2H20. A hydrated compound contains water molecules within its crystalline structure. Gypsum contains 2 moles of water for each 1 mole of calcium sulfate.

What is the gram formula mass of CaSO4 • 2H2O?

The answer to your question is 172 g/mol

Explanation:

Data

CaSO₄ 2H₂O

Gram formula mass = ?

Process

1. - Determine the number of elements in the compound

Calcium 1

Sulfur 1

Hydrogen 4

Oxygen 6

2. - Multiply the number of atoms by their atomic weight

Calcium 1 x 40 = 40

Sulfur 1 x 32 = 32

Hydrogen 4 x 1 = 4

Oxygen 6 x 16 = 96

3. - Add the result

Gram formula mass = 40 + 32 + 4 + 96

= 172 g/mol