Hard water

LI to know the causes,

effects and cures for
hard water There are 2 types
Hard water is There are 2 types
hard to lather and of hardness;
forms a scum temporary and
with soap permanent
It is caused by
Hardness is tested
for using soap
the presence of
solution
dissolved calcium
or magnesium
The greater volume
of soap needed the
compounds
harder the water
Detergents are
not affected by
hard water
 Temporary hardness
Temporary hard water is formed by rain water
reacting with the limestone.
Rain water is slightly acidic due to the presence
of dissolved carbon dioxide
Rain water is a weak solution of Carbonic acid,
H2CO3
Calcium + Water + Carbon = Calcium
carbonate dioxide hydrogen carbonate
CaCO3(s) + H2O (l) + CO2(g) = Ca(HCO3)2(aq)
Features of hard water
areas
Stalactites and stalagmites are
found in limestone regions. These
are formed by the decomposition
of the calcium hydrogen
carbonate inside the limestone
caves
Temporary hardness
Temporary hardness can be
removed by boiling
Calcium hydrogen carbonate
decomposes on heating
Ca(HCO3)2 = CaCO3 + H2O + CO2
Limescale is formed when
temporary hard water decomposes
Permanent Hardness
Permanent hard water is caused by
Calcium or magnesium sulphate
Calcium sulphate and magnesium
sulphate is slightly soluble and
dissolve when rain water runs over
the rocks like granite
Permanent hard water is not
softened by boiling
 Q: Explain why water in
limestone regions is hard when
limestone is insoluble.
Rain water contains dissolved carbon
dioxide which makes it acidic (carbonic
acid). The acidic rain water reacts with
the calcium carbonate (limestone) and
forms soluble calcium hydrogen
carbonate.

CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) = Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

Hard water can be
good and can be a
nuisance
Good points Bad points

Tastes better Wastes soap

Contains calcium Leaves a fur
which is good for inside kettles so
teeth & bones harder to boil
Good for tanning Leaves limescale
leather inside pipes
Curing Hardness

Boiling removes temporary

hardness only
Adding washing soda (sodium
carbonate) removes both types
of hardness
Ion exchange changes the
calcium ions for sodium ions
Equations for curing
hardness - Higher
Boiling:
Ca(HCO3)2 = CaCO3 + H2O + CO2
Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
Na2CO3 + CaSO4 = Na2SO4 +
CaCO3
Ion Exchange
Ca 2+ swapped for 2Na+
Exam questions -
Higher
Q: Explain in terms of ions how
washing soda softens water

A: The calcium ions from the hard

water reacts with the carbonate
ions from the washing soda to
form insoluble calcium carbonate
Exam questions -
Higher
Q: Explain in terms of ions how an
ion exchanger softens water

A: The calcium ions from the hard

water are swapped for sodium ions
from the exchanger
The water no longer contains
calcium ions and therefore is no
longer hard