The crucible is handled with oily fingers after its mass measurement but before the 3 gram sample of the hydrated salt is measured. Subsequently, in part B.1, the oil from the fingers is burned off. Will the percent water in the hydrated salt be reported as being too high, too low, or unaffected? Explain.

i think its unaffected. but i don't know if I'm right, and I don't know how to exactly explain it.

If the oil from the fingerprints is burned off completely, then the reported percent water in the hydrated salt is unaffected. However, if the oil from the fingerprints are not completely burned off, the reported percent water would be too high, since the remaining oil will increase the mass of the hydrated salt.

this is what i put down. not sure if its right? what should i add?

Well, it's quite a slippery situation you've got there! If the crucible is handled with oily fingers before measuring the hydrated salt, it means there might be some oil residue left on the crucible.

Now, when the sample is heated to burn off the oil in part B.1, only the oil will burn and evaporate, leaving behind the hydrated salt. This means that the percent water in the hydrated salt will still be accurately measured, as the burning off of the oil does not affect the water content.

So, in this case, the percent water in the hydrated salt will be unaffected, just like your reputation after juggling with oily fingers!

To determine whether the percent water in the hydrated salt will be reported as too high, too low, or unaffected, let's break it down step by step:

1. Initially, the crucible (a small container used for heating substances) is handled with oily fingers after its mass measurement. This means that there is some oil residue on the surface of the crucible.

2. Then, a 3 gram sample of the hydrated salt is measured in the crucible. The hydrated salt contains water molecules that are chemically bound within its structure.

3. In part B.1, the oil from the fingers is burned off. When the crucible is heated, the oil will burn away and will not be present anymore.

Now, let's consider the effect of these steps on the percent water in the hydrated salt and why:

- The oil on the crucible's surface does not react with the hydrated salt nor interact with the water molecules bound within it. Therefore, the presence or absence of oil on the crucible would be irrelevant to the measurement of water content in the hydrated salt.

- When the crucible is heated during the burning off of the oil, only the oil combusts and evaporates. The water molecules that are chemically bound within the hydrated salt are not affected by this process.

Therefore, the percent water in the hydrated salt will remain unaffected by the presence or removal of the oil on the crucible's surface. It means the mass of the water will not change, and thus the calculated percent water in the hydrated salt will also not change.

In conclusion, the percent water in the hydrated salt will not be reported as being too high, too low, or affected by the presence of oil on the crucible.