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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Glauber Salt and Common Salt?

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The main difference between Glauber salt and common salt lies in their chemical composition and taste. Here are the key differences:

  • Chemical Composition: Glauber salt contains hydrated sodium sulfate, whereas common salt contains sodium chloride as the major component.
  • Taste: Glauber salt has a bitter taste, while common salt has a salty taste.

Both Glauber salt and common salt are inorganic compounds and are salts of sodium. They are water-soluble compounds, but Glauber salt provides a higher depth of color in dyeing applications compared to common salt.

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  • What is the Difference Between Glauber Salt and Common Salt?
  • Comparative Table: Glauber Salt vs Common Salt

    • Comparative Table: Glauber Salt vs Common Salt

    Here is a table comparing the differences between Glauber salt and common salt:

    Property Glauber Salt Common Salt
    Chemical Formula Na2SO4.10H2O NaCl
    Appearance Colorless, white, greenish-white, or yellowish-white White
    Texture Granular or coarse, well-formed crystals Granular
    Crystal Lattice Structure Octahedral -
    Taste Bitter and salty Salty
    Use in Dyeing Evens out color intake of fabrics, strength of shade is higher when Glauber salt is used Not used for dyeing
    Medicinal Use Mild laxative Not used as a laxative
    Solubility in Water Soluble, with solubility increasing more than tenfold between 0°C and 32.384°C Soluble
    Dehydration Undergoes dehydration when heated or exposed to dry air, turning into white powder (Na2SO4) Does not undergo dehydration
    Stability Unstable in dry air, rapidly dehydrates Stable in dry air

    Glauber salt is the decahydrate form of sodium sulfate and is also known as mirabilite. Common salt, on the other hand, is the sodium chloride salt and is commonly used for household needs. The key difference between Glauber salt and common salt is the presence of hydrated sodium sulfate in Glauber salt and sodium chloride as the major component in common salt.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.