This is a chemical reaction.
Epsom salt is MgSO4.
We assume x water of hydration in the crystalline form.
Molecular mass of MgSO4 = 24+32+4*16=120
Molecular mass of MgSO4.xH2O = 120+18x
By proportion,
2.000/0.977 = (120+18x)/120
Cross multiply
0.977(120+18x) = 120*2.000
from which we solve for x
17.586x+117.24 = 240
x=122.78/17.586
=6.980
Answer: there are 7 water of hydration in Epsom salt, according to the experiment.
Note: more accurate (proper) results may be obtained by using exact values (3-4 significant figures) in the molecular masses. However, since water of hydration is the nearest integer, using approximate values (to at least two significant figures) suffice.
First things first carbon is quite common element here in Earth. But it is not all, right? Otherwise we would be built from other, more common elements. The thing is in carbon reactiveness. Also energy needed to create carbon chemical compounds isnt that big when compared to etc nitrogen. It can bind up to 4 different elements (atoms). Thanks to this can givesingle, both and triple bindings! Carbon can give away electrons or take them making his degree of oxidation consequently from -IV to +IV. All this vareity leads to vareity of bigger elements that will be created from carbon later- carbohydrates, proteins etc. As life needs vareity to adapt to different situations and climax only carbon therefore can provide this.
