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GCSE CHEMISTRY

WATER - 1
1.

Water found in different parts of the United Kingdom varies considerably in its
properties. The water may be described as hard water or soft water depending on
the way it behaves.
a) How do soft water and hard water behave differently when soap is added to them?

(3)
b) What would be a noticeable effect of using a kettle to boil hard water over a
period of time?
(1)
c) Name two types of dissolved metal ions which cause hardness in water.
(2)
d) Explain how dissolved ions which cause hardness get into the water supply.
(2)
e) State one advantage to a persons health which could come from drinking hard
water.
(1)
2.

Two students decide to test four different samples of tap water from various parts
of the UK using soap solution. They want to find out which areas have soft or hard
water and to compare the amount of hardness in the different waters.
a) Outline a fair test which they should do to make a valid comparison between the
different water samples.

(4)
b) Describe what would happen if one of the samples was a soft water.
(1)
c) Describe what would happen if one of the samples was a hard water.

(2)

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d) How would the students use the results of the experiment to compare the
hardness of the different waters?

(2)
e) The results of the experiment show that three of the samples are hard water and
one of the samples is soft water. One of the students concludes that 75% of tap
water in the UK is hard water but the other student disagrees.
i) Decide whether the conclusion is reasonable or not and explain your reasons for
agreeing or disagreeing.

(2)
ii) What would the students need to do to get a more reliable conclusion to their
experiment?

(2)

3.

Clean water for drinking is an essential part of living. Without a regular supply of
clean water we would die within a few days. Water companies must treat water to
bring it to the high degree of purity required for safe consumption.
a) Filtration is one process used to remove impurities. What kind of impurities are
removed by filtration?
(1)
b) Water must be treated to kill microorganisms which may cause disease. How is this
done?
(1)
c) Water which is safe to drink may still contain dissolved substances. How could the
water be purified to remove any dissolved substances?
(1)

Total = 25 marks

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