When water is present, the test paper goes from blue to pink. Heat and humidity are two factors that help determine our outdoor comfort level in summer. The unwelcome combination of high temperature and high humidity can drive us to the nearest pool or air-conditioned building, seeking relief. read more
O to indicate the number of water molecules that have become incorporated into a compound at the atomic level. Heating the hydrated forms of cobalt chloride reverses the reactions above, returning cobalt chloride to the blue, water-free, or anhydrous, state. Water is"liberated" in these reactions, known as dehydration reactions. read more
As the humidity increases, and water is absorbed by CoCl 2, the crystal structure rearranges itself to make room for water molecules. First, two water molecules surround each cobalt atom, forming the dihydrate, which is"chemistry speak" for"two water molecules." Cobalt chloride dihydrate is purple. read more