Gypsum is a mineral that is used in the construction industry to make drywall (sheetrock). the chemical formula for this hydrated compound is cas04 • 2h20. a hydrated compound contains water molecules within its crystalline structure. gypsum contains 2 moles of water for each 1 mole of calcium sulfate.
what is the gram formula mass of caso4 • 2h2o?

The answer to your question is 172 g/mol

Explanation:

Data

                             CaSO₄ 2H₂O

Gram formula mass = ?

Process

1.- Determine the number of elements in the compound

    Calcium        1

    Sulfur            1

    Hydrogen          4

    Oxygen              6

2.- Multiply the number of atoms by their atomic weight

    Calcium        1  x 40 = 40

    Sulfur            1 x 32 = 32

    Hydrogen          4 x 1 = 4

    Oxygen              6 x 16 = 96

3.- Add the result

    Gram formula mass = 40 + 32 + 4 + 96

                                      = 172 g/mol

the answer is b. dilution