Water

Water

1. Hard and Soft Water

   • Neg:
     • Hard Water when mixed with soap causes scum to form whereas Soft Water creates a nice Lather
       • This is becasue of the disolved Calcium and Magneesium ions in the water, which reacts with the soap to create scum - an insoluble precipitate.
     • When heated, hard water also causes scale.
       • This can decrease the efficiency of pipes and appliances and can eventually block pipes.
         • Being an insulator, it can cause issues with Kettles as well
   • Caused By:
     • Calcium and Magneesium Ions in water
     • Rain falling on some types of rocks such as limestone can disolve compound such as magneesium sulfate.
   • Pos:
     • Good for healthy teeth and bones
     • Some studies show it can reduce heart disease
   • Makin' Soft Water
     • 1. Temporary Hardness can removed by boiling through Thermal Decomposition - This is limescale
       • 2. Adding soda crystals which react with Calcium and Magnesium ions making them insoluble and no longer disolved
         • 3. Running water through Ion Exchange Collumns, sold in shops
           • These contain Sodium or Hydrogen ions which exchange with calcium and magnesium
   • Temporary Hardness and Permenant Hardness
     • Temporary Hardness is caused by hydrogencarbonate ion.
     • Permanent hardness is caused by calcium sulfate (as well as other things)

2. Water Purification

   • Water is essential for life
     • It is especially important that it contains sfuficently low level of disolved salts and microbes.
   • Water is purified through:
     • 1. Chosing an Appropiate Source
       • 2. Passing water through filter beds
         • 3. Sterillising with Chlorine
           • Chrloine is added to reduce microbes, and sometimes fluoride is added to improve teeth
     • Only truely pure water can be produced through disttillation
       • This uses A LOT of energy and therfore is very expensive
   • Water Filters
     • Carbon, Silver and Ion Exchange resins can remove some disolved substanes from tap water to improve the taste and quality
   • Fluoride
     • Can cause bone problems and cancer in high doses.
       • Some people don't like to have fluoride forced in their water
     • Water is closely monitored, especially in areas of high natural fluoride
   • Chlorine
     • Can increase the chance of certain cancers as it reacts with natrual substances to create toxic bi-products.