What is the chemical name of plaster of Paris? How is it prepared? Give equation.

The chemical name 'calcium sulfate hemihydrate' refers to a particular hydrate of calcium sulfate. In terms of its molecular structure, it is made up of calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) with half a molecule of water (H₂O) per molecule of calcium sulfate. Represented as CaSO₄ · 0.5H₂O, this compound is more commonly known as plaster of Paris.

The 'hemi' in hemihydrate denotes the presence of half a water molecule, which is essential to its setting properties when the plaster is mixed with water for use in casting or construction. Unlike gypsum, which has two water molecules per calcium sulfate molecule and is more stable under room conditions, calcium sulfate hemihydrate will react with water to form gypsum and solidify. This property makes it valuable in the medical field for making casts for broken limbs, as well as in the arts for creating detailed sculptures and decorative moldings.

The transformation of gypsum into plaster of Paris involves the process of heating, which is critical in changing the chemical and physical properties of the substance. Gypsum is the mineral form of hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O), and when it undergoes heating at temperatures ranging between 150°C to 180°C, part of the water content is driven off, resulting in the formation of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO₄ · 0.5H₂O).

The process must be carefully controlled, as insufficient heating will not remove enough water, while excessive heating can lead to the formation of anhydrite (completely dehydrated calcium sulfate). The subtleties of the heat treatment affect the properties of the resulting plaster, influencing its purity, strength, and working time. This thermal dehydration process is fundamental to creating a material with the unique ability to set and harden quickly when mixed with water.

The chemical reaction that depicts the formation of plaster of Paris from gypsum can be summarized in a straightforward equation. This chemical equation is not only an essential representation of the process but also guides the manufacturing and quality control of the material:
\[CaSO_4 \cdot 2H_2O \xrightarrow{\Delta T} CaSO_4 \cdot 0.5H_2O + 1.5H_2O\]

Here, the reactant is gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate, as CaSO₄ · 2H₂O), and through the application of heat (ΔT), it decomposes to yield calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water. The 'ΔT' signifies that the reaction requires the input of heat. The product, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, is the main component of plaster of Paris, and the 1.5H₂O represents the water that is released during the dehydration. This equation is a simplified way to grasp the chemistry behind the creation of a widely-used construction and artistic material.