The notation  hydrated compound ânH2O , where n is the number of water molecules per formula unit of the salt, is commonly used to show that a salt is hydrated. The n is usually a low integer, though it is possible for fractional values to occur. For example, in a monohydrate n is one, and in a hexahydrate n is 6.
When does spring start? How you define the first day of spring depends on whether you follow the astronomical or meteorological seasons. This year, spring will take place between March 20 and June 21, if you use the astronomical method. But it starts slightly earlier, between March 1 and May 31, if you follow the meteorological calendar.
Meteorologically speaking, the official first day of spring is March 1 (and the last is May 31). Weather scientists divide the year into quarters to make it easier to compare seasonal and monthly statistics from one year to the next.