The exact chemical formula of barium hydroxide octahydrate is *Ba(OH)₂ 8 H₂O**.
Understanding Barium Hydroxide Octahydrate
Barium hydroxide octahydrate is an inorganic compound commonly encountered as a white granular solid. Its chemical formula, *Ba(OH)₂ 8 H₂O**, provides a clear representation of its composition:
- Ba(OH)₂: This part represents the barium hydroxide component. Barium (Ba) is a metal, and hydroxide (OH) is a polyatomic ion.
- 8 H₂O: This indicates that eight molecules of water are associated with each formula unit of barium hydroxide. Compounds that incorporate water molecules into their crystal structure are known as hydrates, and "octahydrate" specifically denotes the presence of eight water molecules.
Another way this compound's formula might be presented, especially for indexing purposes, is its Hill Formula: *BaH₂O₂ 8 H₂O*. While both formulas represent the same substance, Ba(OH)₂ 8 H₂O is the more commonly used chemical formula as it clearly separates the ionic compound from its associated water of hydration.
Key Characteristics
Understanding the chemical formula helps in comprehending other properties of barium hydroxide octahydrate. Here are some key characteristics:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | Ba(OH)₂ * 8 H₂O |
| Hill Formula | BaH₂O₂ * 8 H₂O |
| Molar Mass | 315.48 g/mol |
| HS Code | 2816 40 10 |
The molar mass, in particular, is derived from the sum of the atomic masses of all atoms present in the formula unit, including the eight water molecules.
