Oban Kobi Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I crushed Magnesium Sulfate into a fine powder, and held a flame up to it. It started drying out (despite the apparent dry nature of it) and water, from who knows where, started boiling. I was left with a very hard clump of it, almost transparent. I could get it to glow red-hot, but not catch fire, and it would cool off the instant I removed the flame. Any ideas what's going on here? My thought is that the epsom salts gained water from the atmosphere, and the heat boiled it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encipher Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Generally, Epsom salt is actually the heptahydrate (seven waters) of Magnesium Sulfate MgSO4·7H2O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oban Kobi Posted November 29, 2007 Author Share Posted November 29, 2007 Hm. Cool. Thank you for your prompt, and helpful response. So much to learn, so little time. Thanks again:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubois928 Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 So would that leave you with anhydrous Magnesium sulfate? Kenneth Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvin Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I could get it to glow red-hot, but not catch fire, and it would cool off the instant I removed the flame. MgSO4 doesn't burn! It decomposes at 1124 celsius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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