Calcium chloride, a deliquescent salt, is used as a desiccant in laboratory desiccators to maintain a dry environment. Explain. Experimental Procedure, Part A 1. What is the purpose of firing the crucible? A 1.803 g sample of gypsum, a hydrated salt of sulfate, caso_4 is heated at a temperature greater than 170 degree c in a crucible until a constant mass is reached. The mass of the anhydrous Caso_4 salt is 1.426 g. calculate the percent by mass of water in the hydrated calcium sulfate salt. The gravimetric analysis of this experiment is meant to be quantitative;therefore, all precautions should be made to minimize errors in the analysis. a. The crucible and lid are handled exclusively with maintain the integrity of the analysis? b. Mass measurements of the crucible, lid, and sample are performed only at room temperature. Why this technique is necessary for a gravimetric analysis?