[writer.at.heart415]

We did an experiment in class where we heated CuSO₄ x 5H₂0 until it turned white, then stirred it in with water, and the temperature skyrocketed. Can anyone explain why this happen? All I can figure out is that it was an exothermic reaction.

Additionally, the two major sources of experimental error in this experiment, aside of human estimation and measurement error, is heating the hydrate insufficiently, therefore not driving off all the water, or overheating the hydrate and causing its decomposition. Will the experimentally determined percent water of hydration be higher or lower than the theoretical in each case? I know this is something to do with mass, but not specifics.