A white powder is used by doctors to support fractured bones.
(a) Write the name and chemical formula fo the powder.
(b) How is this powder
(c) When this white powder is mixed with water, a hard solid mass is obtained. Write a balanced chemical equations for the changes.
(d) Give one more use of this white powder.

Explanation

(a) Name of white powder. Calcium sulphate hemi-hydrate.
Chemical formula - `CaSO_(4) .1//2H_(2)O` .
(b) It is prepared by heating gypsum at 373 K.
`underset("Gypsum")(CaSO_(4).2H_(2)O) overset(373K)tounderset("plaster of Paris")(CaSO_(4).""^(1//)2H_(2)O+1^(1//2)H_(2)O)`
(c) `CaSO_(4).""^(1//2)H_(2)O + 1^(1//2)H_(2)O tounderset("Gypsum")(CaSO_(4).2H_(2)O)`
(d) It is the used for making surface smooth.