MONOHYDRATE Meaning and
Definition
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Monohydrate is a term used in chemistry and material science to describe a specific type of compound structure. It refers to a chemical substance or compound that contains one molecule of water for every molecule of the primary chemical compound. The prefix "mono-" signifies "one," and "hydrate" refers to a compound that contains water molecules.
When a substance is in the monohydrate form, it means that it has combined with water molecules on a 1:1 ratio. These water molecules form a specific bond with the primary compound, resulting in the creation of a stable structure. This bond can be either physical or chemical, depending on the nature of the compound.
Monohydrates can vary widely in their properties and applications. They can exist in various states, such as solids, liquids, or gases, depending on the specific compound. Some common examples of monohydrates include sodium chloride monohydrate (NaCl•H2O) and copper sulfate monohydrate (CuSO4•H2O).
Monohydrates can exhibit different physical properties compared to anhydrous (without water) forms of the same compound. For example, they may have different melting points, solubility, or color due to the presence of water molecules. This property can also affect their stability, storage conditions, and applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and materials science.
Common Misspellings for MONOHYDRATE
Etymology of MONOHYDRATE
The word "monohydrate" is formed by combining two roots: "mono-" and "-hydrate".
The prefix "mono-" comes from the Greek word "monos", meaning "single" or "alone". It is commonly used in English to indicate something that is singular, sole, or consisting of only one element.
The suffix "-hydrate" comes from the Greek word "hudor", meaning "water". In chemistry, the term "hydrate" refers to a compound formed when water molecules combine with another substance. It indicates the presence of water in a specific ratio within a compound.
Therefore, "monohydrate" can be deciphered as a compound where a single molecule of water is bound to another substance, and it's frequently used to describe various chemical compounds in which one molecule of water is attached.
