[weng555]

Excuse me, i am new to this forum. What is the difference between anhydrous and hydrated salts? For example, what is the difference between anhydrous copper(II)sulphate and the hydrated version of it? I know that their colours are both different when mixed in water. What caused this to happen? Does it have anything to do with the structure of both versions of salts?

[Borek]

Once they get dissolved their color is identical, as the cation in water gets hydrated. Anhydrous salts don't have water molecules surrounding cation in the crystal lattice.

[weng555]

Is there any difference between them in terms of chemical functionality and is the equations involved same?

[Borek]

In water solution they behave identically (well, there are some possible situations when they don't). When they are solid they can behave differently. Wiki gypsum. But in most cases it doesn't matter.

[weng555]

Are they convertable to each other?

[Borek]

In most cases yes. Sometimes it is hard to make anhydrous salt without decomposing it.