Alright, I have a simple problem here. I took a quiz. I used a method different from what the method taught in class was. I got 1 point out of 4 after arguing. (I had none). I belive my process is perfectly valid and will work every time.

The problem:

A hyrdrate of copper (II) sulfate contains 1.77 grams of water and 5.24 grams of anhydrous copper (II) sulfate. Calculate the empirical formula of the Hydrate.

My work:

Cu: 63.5g/mole
S: 32.1g/mole
O: 16.0g/mole*4 moles of oxygen per mole of CuSO4 so that's 64g/mole

Add it all up to: 159.6 g/mole of CuSO4

Now, I figure since the ratio of grams carries over to the ratio of moles, I can use simple ratios to figure out the problem.

1.77/5.25=.338
18*3/159.6=.338

Since the ratio of 3 moles of water per mole of CuSO4 equals the ratio of 1.77g of water to 5.25g CuSO4, the formula is CuSO4-3H2O

Now, for those of you who know, is there anything wrong with this?

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Why can't people be more like me? Anti social, sociopathic, and a total jerk even to friends...

but atleast not afraid to speak their minds!