Question

Plaster of Paris is used for setting broken bones.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: Plaster of Paris is a white powdery chemical compound which is hydrated calcium sulfate that is usually obtained from calcining gypsum. Plaster of Paris is also known by the other name called Gypsum plaster.

Complete step by step solution:
The chemical formula of plaster of Paris is given by $CuS{{O}_{4}}.\dfrac{1}{2}{{H}_{2}}O$. Plaster of Paris is manufactured by heating gypsum at 423K and the reaction can be shown as:
$CuS{{O}_{4}}.2{{H}_{2}}O\to CaS{{O}_{4}}\dfrac{1}{5}{{H}_{2}}O+\dfrac{3}{2}{{H}_{2}}O$
By heating gypsum at 423 K it loses water molecules and becomes calcium sulfate hemihydrate. Which is known as the plaster of Paris. However when water is mixed with the dry plaster of Paris it again reforms into gypsum. As for the process of hardening and setting it starts around 10 minutes subsequent to blending and is completed in about 45 minutes.
Plaster of Paris when mixed with water applied around the fractured limbs
it sets into a hard mass and keeps the bone joints in a fixed position. In this way plaster of Paris is used for setting broken bones.

So we can say that the given statement is true.

Note: Other than this application there are many other applications of plaster of Paris like it is used to make fine artwork for decoration of buildings, for making 3-D printing, fireproofing products, in dental uses it is used to make false teeth.