How to Hydrate a video lab

This experiment is intended to introduce students to hydrated compounds. These compounds have water molecules coordinated in their chemical structures. Examples CuSO4*5H2O, BaCl2*2H2O, and NaC2H3O2*3H2O.

Notice each formula has a " between the compounds formula and the number of water molecules that are coordinated in the structure. The " represents a weak chemical bond known as a hydration bond. This bond is usually easily broken by heating the compound.