2007-05-12 01:11:39 · 8 answers · asked by Char22 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Hard water is any water containing a substantial quantity of dissolved minerals. Meanwhile, soft water is treated water in which the only cation (positively charged ion) is sodium. The minerals in water give it a characteristic taste. Some natural mineral waters are highly sought for their flavor and the health benefits they may confer. Soft water, on the other hand, may taste salty and may not be suitable for drinking. However, extremely hard water may shorten the life of plumbing and lessen the effectiveness of certain cleaning agents.
Hard water on heating also forms scales in pipes and tea kettles due to the presence of carbonate precipitates Scales are responsible for narrowing and clogging the pipes and preventing efficient heat transfer. Meanwhile, soap is also less effective in hard water because its reacts to form the calcium or magnesium salt of the organic acid of the soap.
However, it is possible to soften hard water by removing its minerals through treatment with lime or by passing it over an ion exchange resin, which are complex sodium salts. Water will flow over the resin surface, which would dissolve the sodium. The calcium, magnesium, and other cations would precipitate onto the resin surface and sodium would go into the water. Very hard water will end up tasting saltier than water that had fewer dissolved minerals.
In the case of soft water, most of the ions have already been removed, but sodium and various anions (negatively charged ions) still remain. Water can be deionized by using a resin that replaces cations with hydrogen and anions with hydroxide. With this type of resin, the cations stick to the resin and the hydrogen and hydroxide that are released combine to form pure water.
2007-05-12 01:21:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard - San Diego. Soft - Seattle. See #3 and #4 in slideshow below (in sources). Hard water has a lot of minerals in it. It can leave marks in toilets (at the water line), and build-up on faucets if they are dripping. Soft water is better for working up a soap or shampoo lather. In London, England, where I have often stayed, it's frustrating trying to wash your hair, as the hard water kills the lather. Everybody's walking around looking greasy-headed.
2016-05-21 02:27:13 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could do a titration reaction to test for hard and soft water...
Hard water has magnesium and calcium ions in it, whereas soft water doesn't. Hard water is better for the health and the teeth, but is bad for things like the washing machine and kettles. Soft water does not leave white crystals.
Hard water does not lather, and forms scum. Soft water lathers and does not form scum.
2007-05-12 08:34:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
soft water is treated an doesn't have impurities. the hard water is in its natural form, like the one you find in a well or river.
2007-05-12 01:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by Rachel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard water is called hard because it has metallic ions in it such as iron and calcium. Water softener is usually a compound that forms a complex ion with these metals and takes them out of solution.
2007-05-12 01:16:41 · answer #5 · answered by CTU Alemeida 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard water does not make lather with soap while as soft makes lather with soap.
2007-05-12 04:00:48 · answer #6 · answered by latif m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more salt the harder the water.
2007-05-12 03:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
soft is better ,,its alot of impurities out of it
2007-05-12 01:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by fjy7771 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋