Alum (KAl(SO4)212H2O) forms from the potassium ions, hydrated aluminum ions ([Al(H2O)6]3+), sulfate ions, and water.Now when I balance that equation, I get: K+ + [Al(H2O)6]3+ + 2[SO4]2- + 6H2O -gt; KAl(SO4)212H2ONow I'm wondering if the water of the reactant side and the product side should cancel each other outWould I get something like this: K+ + [Al(H2O)6]3+ + 2[SO4]2- -gt; KAl(SO4)2 + 6H2OI don't know how I should leave itI'm confused with the whole hydrated shell idea when it comes to equationsSo can somebody give me the correct formula please?!?! Thanks in advance.
The simplified formula of alum is (KAl(SO4)212H2O) It is actually a double salt of aluminium and potassium sulfates K2SO4Al2(SO4)324H2OAll alums are like this monovalent group 1 sulphate, trivalent metal sulfate and 24 water of crystallisationYou must show the water needed somehow in the equation, either as aq or as moles of waterYou can't cancel H2O fixed in the final formula as this would change the formula so K+ + [Al(H2O)6]3+ + 2[SO4]2- + 6H2O - KAl(SO4)2.12H2O or K+ + [Al(H2O)6]3+ + 2[SO4]2- + aq - KAl(SO4)2.12H2O or K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) - K2SO4.Al2(SO4)324H2O or K2SO4(aq) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) - 2KAl(SO4)2.12H2O Any of these will doI'd accept any of those as an examinerI don't like the 'cancelled down' formula you were given as you miss the concept of the double salt alum, but that's a personal view and your teacher's formula is just as acceptable Hope this clears up your problem.
Application Of Electromagnetism
Application Of Electromagnetism
