Water hidden in crystals
Introduction
When we think of water in a solid form, we usually think of ice, but there are a number of ionic compounds that have water molecules embedded in their crystal lattice, and not in small quantities. The incorporated water is called crystal water and the ionic substances are called crystal salts.
Objectives
- To gain knowledge about crystal water and crystal water salts
- To practise doing simple experiments
- To practise using simple laboratory equipment
Learning outcomes
By the end of this learning scenario, students will be able to:
• perform a simple chemical experiment
• understand what crystal water and crystal water salts are
• understand that water can be incorporated into the crystal lattice of
ionic lattice surfaces
• understand that some metal ions have a characteristic colour when
hydrated