Chemistry Lab: Percent Water in a Hydrate

End your nomenclature unit with a lab! In this lab students will heat a hydrate and from their collected data, calculate their percent error, and calculate the number of moles water in the hydrate—giving them the final formula for the hydrate. I love this lab for several reasons. First, it is so easy to set up—not much prep at all. Second, the results are great! You will find that most students will obtain the expected results pretty much dead on, and the students love the very low percent error that they get! If you have not taught hydrates during your nomenclature unit, that’s not a problem. You can quickly and easily introduce hydrates during the pre-lab instruction. You will find many other tips and strategies included in the three page teacher notes. I don’t do this lab with some of my standard classes. You will have to e the judge of the level of your classes, and if they can accomplish the math involved. It is, however, a great lab for honors, and advanced hon