Hydrates of Magnesium Sulphates
Hydrates of magnesium sulfates are compounds that contain magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) molecules combined with water molecules (H2O) in specific ratios.
Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O):
- Also known as Epsom salt or Epsomite.
- It is the most well-known hydrate of magnesium sulfate.
- It occurs naturally as a mineral and is commonly used in baths for relaxation and as a laxative.
Magnesium Sulfate Hexahydrate (MgSO4·6H2O):
- This hydrate is less common but still encountered in some applications.
- It has similar properties to magnesium sulfate heptahydrate but contains one less water molecule per magnesium sulfate unit.
Magnesium Sulfate Pentahydrate (MgSO4·5H2O):
- This hydrate is less stable than the heptahydrate form.
- It can form under specific conditions but is not as commonly encountered as the heptahydrate.
Magnesium Sulfate Monohydrate (MgSO4·H2O):
- This hydrate is less common and tends to lose its water content more readily than the higher hydrates.
- It is used in some industrial applications and laboratory processes.
Magnesium Sulfate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions
Magnesium is a chemical that appears in gray solid. It is a mineral that’s crucial to the body’s function. It as symbol Mg and atomic number 12. Magnesium plays important role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the human body. Magnesium naturally presents in a variety of foods, also available as a supplement, ingredient in antacids and laxatives.
Sulfate also Sulphate is ion, a salt of sulfuric acid with molar mass of 96.06 g/mol. Sulfate is soluble in water, divalent anion produced by the oxidation of elemental sulfur, organic sulfur. The empirical formula of sulfate is SO42-. Epsom salt is MgSO4· 7H2O commonly found in its heptahydrate form. It’s a synthetic compound comprised of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It gets its name from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England.
Table of Content
- Magnesium Sulfate Formula
- Physical Properties of Magnesium Sulfate
- Chemical Properties of Magnesium Sulfate
- Hydrates of magnesium sulphates
- Double salts