Question

Why calcium sulphate hemihydrate is known as PLASTER OF PARIS?

Answer 1

hey,

Plaster of Paris stands for calcium sulphate hemihydrate, which is obtained by heating the mineral, gyspum. There is a specific reason behind it's naming. In 1666AD,a great fire ravaged London, reducing its wooden buildings to ashes. Then the King of France, in order to prevent such catastrophe in his own country, ordered houses to be constructed of plaster. Paris then had rich deposits of gyspum, which was heated in large quantities to manufacture plaster and make it strong enough to withstand weight of massive buildings and hence the name, ‘Plaster of Paris ’.