Question

What is meant by the term hydrated salt?

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the crystalline salt molecule that is loosely attached to a certain number of water molecules is called hydrated salts. A molecule that is not bound to water molecules is an anhydrate and a molecule that is bonded to water molecules is a hydrated salt.

Complete answer:
As we know that the word hydrated is for the water molecules. That means the molecules which have water molecules attached with their crystalline structure are known as hydrated salts. Whereas those which don't water molecules are anhydrous salt. Sodium hydroxide is an alkali salt and the commercial name is caustic soda, the name is given due to the corrosive nature of animals and plants. There are wide ranges of industrial applications of sodium hydroxide and its chemical formula is \[NaOH.\] In the refining of petroleum, vegetable oils and the purification of bauxite for the extraction of aluminium are the industrial applications of \[NaOH.\]
Now, two types of salts are hydrated salt and anhydrous salt. The water molecules in the hydrated salt are incorporated into the crystalline structure of the salt. The heavier group one elements that have bigger cations like potassium, rubidium, and cesium do not form hydrated salts except sodium metal and lithium due to their less size of an atom. The extent of hydration is controlled by the size of the ion and its metal charge. Effect of charge on the extent of hydration more for barium and potassium due to similar ionic radii. The salts are those compounds which are made when acid and base react. Along with the salt, water is also formed in this reaction.

Note:
Remember that the process of loss of water molecules from the hydrated salt is known as dehydration. When the water molecules are present in the crystal then it is known as the water of crystallization or water of hydration.