|
activity: Plan your
own hard water investigation
Click here for
more information on hard water.
You can use the method below to test samples of water to see how
hard they are. Plan an investigation using this test to compare
the hardness of different samples of water. Read the description
of the hardness test first, then make your plan. Get your teacher
to check your plan before you start the practical activity. Bear
in mind the following questions:
- how will you make sure that your tests are fair?
- how will you make the investigation safe?
- what information will you record about each sample you test?
- what precautions will you need to take to make sure your results
are as accurate as possible?
Click here for
a help sheet on science investigations.
Use the basic test to compare the hardness of the following samples
of water:
- distilled water
- local tap water
- local tap water that has been boiled
- sea water
- mineral water (you could try several different brands)
- distilled water with a little sodium chloride dissolved in it
- distilled water with a little calcium chloride dissolved in
it
The Basic
Hardness Test
- Put 2 cm3
of water sample in a test tube.
- Use a dropping pipette to add a drop of soap solution to the
water.
- Shake the tube and see if you get a lather that lasts more than
a few seconds.
- If you don't, add two or three more drops of soap solution and
shake again, until you get a lasting lather.
- Record the total number of drops of soap solution added, and
look to see if any white precipitate (scum) has formed.
What
kind of hardness?
If your local tap water is hard, you could try this activity to
find out what kind
of hardness is present. You could also test samples of mineral
water. These could be used as a replacement for hard water if your
local water is soft.
- Take another sample of water in a small beaker and gently boil
it for about ten minutes.
- Allow the water to cool until you can safely handle the beaker.
- Repeat the basic hardness test with a sample of boiled water.
| 
