Another water source is a river that contains water with a moderate amount of temporary hardness but this hardness is not removed during water treatment - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (b) - 2021
Question (b)
Another water source is a river that contains water with a moderate amount of temporary hardness but this hardness is not removed during water treatment.
(i) How co... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Another water source is a river that contains water with a moderate amount of temporary hardness but this hardness is not removed during water treatment - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (b) - 2021
Step 1
How could you show, using soap flakes, that a water sample contains hardness?
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Answer
To demonstrate that a water sample contains hardness, dissolve soap flakes in a test tube or container with the water sample. If the water is hard, it will produce little to no lather or foam, indicating the presence of hardness ions (such as calcium and magnesium). Conversely, in soft water, there will be abundant lather, showing that the soap is not being consumed by the hardness ions.
Step 2
Name a substance that causes temporary hardness in water.
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Answer
A substance that causes temporary hardness in water is calcium bicarbonate, which can be dissolved in water and can be removed by boiling.
Step 3
Give one way that a householder could soften this hard water.
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A householder could soften hard water by using a water softener which typically substitutes hard ions like calcium and magnesium with sodium ions, thereby reducing hardness levels.
Step 4
Give one advantage and one disadvantage to a household of having a hard water supply.
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One advantage of having a hard water supply is that it provides essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can be beneficial for health. However, a disadvantage is that hard water can cause scaling in pipes and appliances, leading to maintenance issues and reduced efficiency.
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