The reaction of anhydrous magnesium sulphate with water is as follows:
MgSO4(s) + 7H2O(l) → MgSO4.7H2O(s)
i. What is the function of the anhydrous magnesium sulphate in the sodium test?
ii. Why is it important to add anhydrous magnesium sulphate to the alcohol and ether prior to reaction with sodium metal? (Hint: look at your answer to question 1 above.)
iii. Ether does not react with water. Explain why you observed a reaction when sodium was added to the diethyl ether.
iv. Use your answer to iii. to explain why there was a difference in the rates of reaction when sodium was added to ethanol and diethyl ether.
v. What is the name of the precipitate that settled at the bottom of the well containing the ether?