Properties and Importance of Water
Properties and Importance of Water
Question 1
Water exists in all the three states. Discuss.
Answer
Water exists in all the three physical states : as solid (ice), as liquid (water) and as gas (water vapour). It occurs in
both free as well as combined states.
Occurrence of water in free state:
Water occurs in the combined form in all living matter i.e., plants and animals.
Water is present in hydrated salts e.g., MgCl2.6H2O and in certain minerals.
Earth's surface - Covers nearly 75% of earth's surface.
Human body - Nearly, 70% of the body weight.
Food products - Green vegetables [80-90%], Milk [80-85%], Dry cereals [3-5%]
Question 2
Why is water considered a compound.
Answer
Henry Cavendish synthesized water from it's elements [2 vols. of hydrogen and 1 vol. of oxygen] by igniting the elements
in their respective ratio, thereby leading to the conclusion that water is not an element but a compound of hydrogen and
oxygen combined in the ration 2:1.
Question 3
(a) Why does temperature in Mumbai and Chennai not fall as low as it does in Delhi.
(b) Give the properties of water responsible for controlling the temperature of our body.
Answer
(a) Mumbai and Chennai are on the shores of the sea. As water has high specific heat capacity, the presence of a large
amount of water is able to modify the climate of the nearby land areas, making them warmer in winter and cooler in
summer. Land and sea breeze also take place because of this great moderating property. Hence, the temperature in Mumbai
and Chennai does not fall as low as it does in Delhi.
(b) Properties of water responsible for controlling the temperature of our body:
1. High specific heat capacity — Water has a high specific heat capacity enabling it to absorb heat from the body and
release it to the environment without causing significant changes in its own temperature.
2. High latent heat of vaporization — As water has a high latent heat of vaporization, it requires a large amount of
heat energy to change from liquid to gas. This property allows sweat to evaporate from the skin, taking heat from
the body and cooling it down.
Question 4
'Water is a universal solvent'. Comment.
Answer
Water dissolves many substances, forming aqueous solutions (water solutions). Not only solids but gases and other
liquids can also dissolve in water to a large extent. For the same reason, water is called a universal solvent.
Question 5
What causes the violence associated with torrential rain?
Answer
The sudden release of latent heat of condensation causes the violence associated with torrential rain.
Question 6(a)
Which property of water enables it to modify the climate ?
Answer
Due to it's high specific heat capacity, the presence of a large amount of water is able to modify the climate of the nearby
land areas, making them warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Land and sea breezes also take place because of this great
moderating property of water.
Question 6(b)
Density of water varies with temperature. What are its consequences?
Answer
At 4°C, water has its maximum density, 1g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3, and minimum volume. Its density decreases as the
temperature increases or decreases from this point. The consequences of this are:
1. Water expands on freezing, i.e., 92 volumes of water become 100 volumes of ice. Therefore, with relative density
of ice being 0.92, it floats on water.
2. It enables marine life to exist in the colder regions of the world because even when the water freezes on the surface,
it remains in liquid state below the ice layer as the density of water is greater than the density of ice and ice is a bad
conductor of heat.
3. It can cause pipes to burst in winter season because when water freezes it expands slightly.
Question 6(c)
What is the effect of impurities present in water on melting point and boiling point of water?
Answer
The boiling point of water increases and the melting point of water decreases due to the presence of dissolved impurities in
it.
Question 7
How do fishes and aquatic animals survive in winters when the pond gets covered with thick ice?
Answer
The property of anomalous expansion water enables marine life to exist in the colder regions of the world because even
when the water freezes on the surface, it remains in liquid state below the ice layer as the density of water is greater than
the density of ice and ice is a bad conductor of heat.
Question 8
The properties of water are different from the properties of the elements of which it is formed. Discuss.
Answer
Water is composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen in the ratio of 2:1. Its properties are distinct from those of its component
elements in the following ways:
Properties Hydrogen Oxygen Water
State at room
Gas Gas Liquid
temperature
Question 9
How is aquatic life benefitted by the fact that water has maximum density at 4°C?
Answer
At 4°C, water has its maximum density, 1g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3, and minimum volume. Its density decreases as the
temperature increases or decreases from this point. This enables marine life to exist in the colder regions of the world
because even when the water freezes on the surface, it remains in liquid state below the ice layer as the density of water is
greater than the density of ice and ice is a bad conductor of heat.
Question 10
What are your observations and conclusion when tap water is boiled and evaporated in watch glass?
Answer
Observation — On looking at the watch glass against light, a number of concentric rings of solid matter are seen. These
are the dissolved solids left behind after evaporation of water.
Conclusion — Tap water contains dissolved solids.
Question 11
What is the importance of dissolved salts in water?
Answer
Importance of dissolved salts in water are as follows:
1. Salts and minerals are essential for the growth and development of plants.
2. They add taste to water.
3. They supply the essential minerals needed by our bodies.
Question 12
State the importance of the solubility of CO2, and O2 in water.
Answer
Solubility of CO2, and O2 in water is important for the following reasons:
1. Marine life like fish use the oxygen of the air dissolved in water for respiration and thus aquatic life is
sustained. 1 dm3 (1 litre) of water contains 40 cm3 of dissolved oxygen.
2. Aquatic plants make use of dissolved carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, i.e., to prepare their food.
6CO2 + 12H2O →sunlightChlorophyllChlorophyllsunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O ⟶ Ca(HCO3)2
3. Carbon dioxide dissolved in water reacts with limestone to form calcium bicarbonate.
Marine organisms such as snails, oysters, etc., extract calcium carbonate from calcium bicarbonate to build
their shells.
Question 13
How is air dissolved in water different from ordinary air?
Answer
Ordinary air contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 0.01% carbon dioxide. But oxygen is more soluble in water as
compared to nitrogen. Hence, the composition of air dissolved is different from ordinary air.
The composition of air dissolved in water is 33% oxygen, 66% nitrogen and 1% carbon dioxide.
Question 14
Identify A, B, C and D; first one is done for you.
Answer
(B) Latent heat of vaporization — It is the heat energy required to change water into its vapour at its boiling point
without any change in temperature.
(C) Latent heat of condensation — It is the heat energy released when a gas converts to liquid.
(D) Latent heat of solidification — It is the heat energy released when a liquid converts to solid.
Question 15
Explain why:
(a) Boiled or distilled water tastes flat.
(b) Ice at zero degree centigrade has greater cooling effect than water at 0°C.
(c) Burns caused by steam are more severe than burns caused by boiling water.
(d) Rivers and lakes do not freeze easily?
(e) Air dissolved in water contains a higher proportion of oxygen.
(f) If distilled water is kept in a sealed bottle for a long time, it leaves etchings on the surface of the glass.
(g) Rain water does not leave behind concentric rings when boiled.
Answer
(a) Pure water is tasteless. The taste in water is due to the gases and solids dissolved in it i.e., impurities present in it. As
boiled and distilled water are pure containing no impurities hence they taste flat i.e., are tasteless.
(b) The latent heat of fusion of ice is 336 J g-1 so it absorbs 336 J of heat and changes to water at 0°C and then water at 0°C
absorbs heat and temperature is raised. Therefore, ice at 0°C absorbs extra heat in comparison to water at 0°C (due to latent
heat of fusion). Hence, ice at 0°C has greater cooling effect than water at 0°C.
(c) Steam has a higher heat content on account of high specific latent heat of condensation that is 2268 J g -1. Hence, steam
at 100°C carries more heat than water. Therefore, burns caused by steam are more severe than burns caused by boiling
water.
(d) Rivers and lakes do not freeze easily because the specific latent heat of fusion of ice is sufficiently high (= 336 J g -1).
The water in lakes and rivers will have to liberate a large quantity of heat to the surrounding before freezing. The layer of
ice formed over the water surface, being a poor conductor of heat, will also prevent the loss of heat from the water of lake,
hence the water does not freeze all at once.
(e) Air dissolved in water contains a higher proportion of oxygen because oxygen is more soluble in water compared to
nitrogen. The composition of air dissolved in water is 33% oxygen compared to 21% in ordinary air.
(f) Substances that are apparently insoluble in water actually dissolve in it in traces. Even, when we put water in a glass
vessel, an extremely small amount of glass dissolves in it. It is for this reason that when distilled water is kept in a sealed
bottle for a long time, it leaves etchings on the inside surface of the glass.
(g) As rainwater does not contain dissolved solids hence, it does not leave behind concentric rings when boiled.
Exercise 3(B)
Question 1
Explain the terms
(a) Solution
(b) solute
(c) solvent
Answer
(a) Solution — A solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more components whose composition may be
gradually changed by changing the relative amounts of the components.
(b) Solute — The substance that dissolves in the solvent to form a solution is known as Solute.
(c) Solvent — The medium of dissolution that allows one or more components to dissolve in it to form a solution is
known as Solvent.
Question 2
Explain why hot saturated solution of potassium nitrate forms crystals as it cools.
Answer
The solubility of a solution usually decreases with a fall in its temperature. Hence, if the temperature of a saturated solution
is lowered, a part of the dissolved solute separates out in the form of crystals.
Question 3
Give three factors which affect the solubility of a solid solute in a solvent.
Answer
The rate of dissolution or rate of solubility of a solid in a solvent depends on the following factors:
1. Size of solute particles — The smaller the size of the solute particles, the greater is its total surface area
exposed to the solvent. Therefore, greater is the solubility of that solute.
2. Stirring — This brings more of the solvent in contact with the solute and thus increases the rate of formation
of solution.
3. Temperature — The solubility of a gas in a liquid always decreases with rise in temperature. But the
solubility of most solids in water usually increases with rise in temperature.
Question 4
(a) If you are given some copper sulphate crystals, how would you proceed to prepare its saturated solution at room
temperature?
(b) How can you show that your solution is really saturated?
Answer
(a) Preparation of saturated solution of copper sulphate crystals:
Take 100 g of distilled water in a beaker. Add one gram of copper sulphate crystals and stir with a glass rod till the crystals
dissolve. Add one more gram of copper sulphate crystals and stir it. It too will dissolve. Continue adding a gram of copper
sulphate crystals and stir vigorously after each addition.
A stage is reached when no more copper sulphate dissolves. At this stage, we have a saturated solution of copper sulphate
at room temperature.
(b) Add some more copper sulphate crystals to the saturated solution. The crystals do not dissolve no matter how long it is
left there or how vigorously it is stirred.
Question 5
(a) Define
(i) Henry’s law
(ii) Crystallization
(iii) Seeding
(b) State any three methods of crystallization.
Answer
(a) (i) Henry’s law — At any given temperature, the mass of a gas dissolved by a fixed volume of liquid is directly
proportional to the pressure on the surface of the liquid.
(ii) Crystallization — It is a process by which crystals of a substance are obtained by cooling a hot saturated solution.
(iii) Seeding — It is a process of inducing crystallization by adding a crystal of a pure substance into its saturated solution.
(b) Three methods of crystallization are:
Question 6
What would you observe when crystals of Copper(II) sulphate are heated in a test-tube strongly.
Answer
Drops of colourless liquid condense on the cooler parts of the test tube, leaving behind a residue that is anhydrous (without
water) and amorphous (non-crystalline), i.e., with no definite shape or structure.
CuSO4.5H2O ⇌ CuSO4 + 5H2O
Question 7
Give the names and formulae of two substances in each case :
(a) hydrated substance
(b) anhydrous substance
(c) liquid drying agent
(d) a basic drying agent
Answer
(a) hydrated substance —
Question 8
What is the effect of temperature on solubility of KNO3 and CaSO4 in water?
Answer
KNO3 shows a considerable increase in solubility with rise in temperature.
Solubility of calcium sulphate decreases (after attaining a certain temperature) with further rise in temperature.
Question 9
Solubility of NaCl at 40°C is 36.5 g. What is meant by this statement
Answer
Solubility of NaCl at 40°C is 36.5 g. means that 36.5 g of NaCl dissolves in 100 g of water at 40°C.
Question 10
Which test will you carry out to find out if a given solution is saturated or unsaturated or supersaturated?
Answer
Add a few drops of solute in the solution and try to stir by keeping the temperature constant.
1. If more solute does not dissolve in the given solution, then it will be a saturated solution.
2. If the solute gets dissolved, then it is an unsaturated solution.
3. If on slightly disturbing the solution by shaking, stirring, scratching the wall of container or adding a solute crystal
to the solution, the additional amount of the solute precipitates out, then the solution is a supersaturated solution.
Question 11
What is the effect of pressure on solubility of gases? Explain with an example.
Answer
An increase in pressure on the surface of water increases the solubility of a gas in water.
For example: the solubility of carbon dioxide in water under normal atmospheric pressure is rather low, but when the water
surface is subjected to higher pressure, a lot more carbon dioxide gas dissolves in it, as is seen in the case of soda water. On
opening the soda water bottle, the dissolved gas rapidly bubbles out since pressure on the surface of the water suddenly
decreases.
Question 12
State the term : (Do not give examples)
(a) A solution where solvent is a liquid other than water.
(b) When a substance absorbs moisture on exposure to moist air and dissolves in the absorbed water and turned to solution.
(c) A substance which contains water of crystallisation.
(d) When a substance absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, but does not form a solution.
(e) When a compound loses its water of crystallisation on exposure to dry air.
(f) The substance that can remove hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the ratio of 2 : 1 (in the form of water) from the
compounds.
Answer
(a) Non-aqueous solution
(b) Deliquescence
(c) Hydrated substance
(d) Hygroscopy
(e) Efflorescence
(f) Dehydrating agent
Question 13
Explain why :
(a) water is an excellent liquid to use in cooling systems.
(b) a solution is always clear and transparent.
(c) lakes and rivers do not suddenly freeze in the winters.
(d) the solute cannot be separated from a solution by filtration.
(e) fused CaCl2 or conc. H2SO4 is used in a desiccator.
(f) effervescence is seen on opening a bottle of soda water.
(g) Table salt becomes sticky on exposure to humid air during the rainy season.
Answer
(a) Water is an effective coolant. By allowing water to flow in pipes around the heated parts of a machine, heat energy from
such parts is removed. Water in pipes can extract more heat from the surroundings without much rise in it's temperature
because of it's high specific heat capacity. This is why radiators in car and generator use water for cooling.
(b) Solutions are homogeneous in nature. The solute particles are dispersed uniformly throughout the solvent. The size of
particles of a true solution is very small about 10-10 m. Due to homogeneity and small size, they do not scatter light
significantly. Hence, a solution is always clear and transparent.
(c) Rivers and lakes do not freeze suddenly because the specific latent heat of fusion of ice is sufficiently high (= 336 J g -1).
The water in lakes and rivers will have to liberate a large quantity of heat to the surrounding before freezing. The layer of
ice formed over the water surface, being a poor conductor of heat, will also prevent the loss of heat from the water of lake,
hence the water does not freeze all at once.
(d) The size of particles of a true solution is about 10-10 m. In a solution, the solute particles and the solvent molecules
cannot be distinguished even under a microscope. Due to such small size of particles, the solute cannot be separated from a
solution by filtration.
(e) Fused CaCl2 is deliquescent in nature, absorbs moisture and hence used as drying agent or desiccating agent, similarly,
conc. sulphuric acid is hygroscopic in nature and can remove moisture from other substances; Hence, they are used as
drying agents.
(f) The solubility of carbon dioxide in water under normal atmospheric pressure is rather low, but when the water surface is
subjected to higher pressure, a lot more carbon dioxide gas dissolves in it, because, an increase in pressure on the surface of
water increases the solubility of the gas in water. On opening the soda water bottle, the dissolved gas rapidly bubbles out
since pressure on the surface of the water suddenly decreases. Hence, effervescence is seen on opening a bottle of soda
water.
(g) Table salt [sodium chloride] contains impurities like magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which are deliquescent.
Hence, table salt absorb moisture in rainy season and turns sticky.
Question 14
Normally, solubility of a crystalline solid increases with temperature. Does it increase uniformly in all cases ? Name a
substance whose solubility :
(a) increases rapidly with temperature.
(b) increases gradually with temperature.
(c) increases slightly with temperature.
(d) initially increases then decreases with rise in temperature.
Answer
No, solubility of a crystalline solid does not increase with temperature in all cases.
(a) Solubility increases rapidly with temperature — Potassium nitrate
(b) Solubility increases gradually with temperature — Potassium chloride
(c) Solubility increases slightly with temperature — Sodium chloride
(d) Solubility initially increases then decreases with rise in temperature — Calcium sulphate
Question 15
What are drying or desiccating agents. Give examples.
Answer
Drying or desiccating agents are substances that can readily absorbs moisture from other substances without chemically
reacting with them.
Ex: Conc. Sulphuric acid [H2SO4], Phosphorus pentoxide [P2O5], Quicklime [CaO], Silica gel.
Question 16
Complete the following table :
Acid, Efflorescent,
Common Chemical base hygroscopic or
Formula
Name Name or deliquescent
salt substance
Solid
caustic
potash
Quick
lime
Oil of
vitriol
Washing
soda
Solid
caustic
soda
Blue
vitriol
Answer
Efflorescen
Acid t
, hygroscopi
Commo Chemical
Formula base c or
n Name Name
or deliquesce
salt nt
substance
Solid
Potassium Deliquesce
caustic KOH Base
hydroxide nt
potash
Sodium
Washing carbonate Na2CO3.10H2 Efflorescen
Salt
soda decahydrat O t
e
Solid
Sodium Deliquesce
caustic NaOH Base
hydroxide nt
soda
Copper (II)
Blue Sulphate Efflorescen
CuSO4.5H2O Salt
vitriol pentahydrat t
e
Question 17
In which of the following substances will there be :
(a) increase in mass
(b) decrease in mass
(c) no change in mass when they are exposed to air?
1. Sodium chloride
2. Iron
3. Conc. sulphuric acid
4. Table salt
5. Sodium carbonate crystals
Answer
(a) Increase in mass: Iron, conc. sulphuric acid, Table salt
Reason — Increase in mass is due to the absorbed water in case of sulphuric acid, Table salt, whereas, gain in mass of iron
is due to the increased weight of oxygen which has combined with the iron to form iron oxide or rust.
(b) Decrease in mass: Sodium carbonate crystals
Reason — Decrease in mass is because sodium carbonate loses its water of crystallization on exposure to dry air.
(c) No change in mass: Sodium chloride
Reason — Pure sodium chloride is neither deliquescent nor efflorescent i.e., it does not absorb moisture from atmospheric
air nor does it lose it, hence there is no change in mass.
Question 18
State the methods by which hydrated salts can be made anhydrous?
Answer
Hydrated salts can be made anhydrous by:
1. direct heating
2. heating in dry or hot air
3. heating under vacuum
4. by using dehydrating/desiccating agents such as warm concentrated sulphuric acid.
1. Ether
2. Water
3. Alcohol
4. Benzene
Answer
Water
Reason — Water has a high dielectric constant, as a result it reduces the electrostatic force of attraction between the
positive and negative ions and dissolves even inorganic compounds, which are usually electrovalent. Hence, sodium
sulphate is dissolves in water.
Question 2
Water acts as a universal solvent because:
1. It is an organic compound
2. It is polar and has a high dielectric constant.
3. It is liquid at room temperature.
4. It boils at 100°C
Answer
It is polar and has a high dielectric constant.
Reason — Water is a polar covalent compound having a high dielectric constant. This makes water a universal solvent as it
helps dissolve even inorganic compounds by reducing the electrostatic force of attraction between the ions.
Question 3
Permanent hardness of water is removed by:
Question 4
Solid solutions are called :
1. Allotropes
2. Isotopes
3. Alloys
4. Isotones
Answer
Alloys
Reason — A homogenous solution of a solid into another solid is called a solid solution and common metal alloys are solid
solutions because an alloy is also a metal made by mixing two types of metals together.
Question 5
With a rise in temperature, the solubility of sodium chloride will:
1. Increase rapidly
2. Decrease
3. Remain the same
4. Increase slightly
Answer
Increase slightly
Reason — In an endothermic process, the solubility of a solute increases with an increase in temperature.
For example: solubility of sodium chloride increases with rise in temperature.
Question 6
The solubility of which of the following substances decreases with a rise in temperature :
1. Potassium chloride
2. Hydrated sodium sulphate
3. Calcium hydroxide
4. Potassium nitrate
Answer
Calcium hydroxide
Reason — In an exothermic process, the solubility increases on lowering the temperature.
For example: solubility of calcium sulphate and calcium hydroxide in water decreases on increasing the temperature.
Question 7
The crystalline substance that does not contain water of crystallization is:
1. Plaster of paris
2. Potash alum
3. Potassium permanganate
4. Epsom salt
Answer
Potassium permanganate
Reason — The crystalline shape of a substance is not necessarily the result of the presence of water of crystallization. In
fact, there are number of crystalline solids that crystallize from water without holding any water of crystallization. For
example: Potassium permanganate
Question 8
Table salt becomes sticky in the presence of moisture because :
1. It is deliquescent
2. It is hygroscopic
3. It contains impurities which are deliquescent
4. It is a good drying agent.
Answer
It contains impurities which are deliquescent
Reason — Table salt [sodium chloride] contains impurities like magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which are
deliquescent. Hence, table salt absorbs moisture in rainy season and turns sticky.
Question 9
Which of the following substances can act as a dehydrating as well as a drying agent.
1. Oxalic acid
2. Conc. nitric acid
3. Washing soda
4. Conc sulphuric acid
Answer
Conc sulphuric acid
Reason — Being hygroscopic sulphuric acid absorbs moisture but not enough to form a solution. Hence, it is a drying
agent.
Sulphuric acid is a dehydrating agent as it can remove chemically combined water molecules from blue vitriol.
CuSO4.5H2O + H2SO4 ⇌ CuSO4 + 5H2O
Question 10
Which of the following is a deliquescent salt ?
1. CuSO4
2. FeCl3
3. KCl
4. ZnSO4
Answer
FeCl3
Reason — FeCl3 absorbs moisture when exposed to the atmosphere and ultimately dissolves in the absorbed water. Hence,
it is a deliquescent salt.
Question 11
If a salt on heating gives water vapour, then that salt is:
1. Hygroscopic
2. Deliquescent
3. Hydrated
4. Anhydrous
Answer
Hydrated
Reason — A hydrated salt on heating loses its water of crystallization and becomes anhydrous.
Question 12
The salt which is the cause of hardness in water:
1. Sodium sulphate
2. Magnesium bicarbonate
3. Sodium chloride
4. Calcium nitrate
Answer
Magnesium bicarbonate
Reason — Hardness in water is due to the presence of bicarbonates, chlorides or sulphates of calcium or magnesium.
Question 13
Temporary hardness of water can be removed by:
Answer
Boiling
Reason — By boiling carbon dioxide is driven off and the soluble hydrogen carbonates are converted into insoluble
carbonates and could be removed by filtration or decantation.
Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are precipitated leaving the water soft.
Ca(HCO3)2 →Boil Boil CaCO3 ↓ + H2O + CO2 ↑
Mg(HCO3)2 →Boil Boil MgCO3 ↓ + H2O + CO2 ↑
1. Direct heating
2. Heating in dry or hot air
3. Heating under vacuum
4. By using dehydrating/desiccating agents such as warm concentrated sulphuric acid.
1. Marine life like fish use the oxygen of the air dissolved in water for respiration and thus aquatic life is sustained. 1
dm3 (1 litre) of water contains 40 cm3 of dissolved oxygen.
2. Aquatic plants make use of dissolved carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, i.e., to prepare their food.
6CO2 + 12H2O →sunlightChlorophyllChlorophyllsunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
Question 2
Hot saturated solution of sodium nitrate forms crystals, as it cools. Why?
Answer
As solubility of sodium nitrate decreases with decrease in temperature, hence, a part of the dissolved solute separates out in
the form of crystals when temperature falls.
Question 3
What do you understand by:
(a) Soft water
(b) Hard water
(c) Temporary Hard water
(d) Permanent hard water.
Answer
(a) Soft water — Water is said to be soft water if it readily forms lather with soap.
(b) Hard water — Water is said to be hard if it does not readily form lather with soap.
(c) Temporary Hard water — Water that contains only hydrogen carbonates of Calcium and Magnesium is called
temporary hard water.
(d) Permanent hard water — Water that contains sulphates and chlorides of Magnesium and Calcium is called
Permanent hard water.
Question 4
What are the causes for
(a) Temporary hardness
(b) Permanent hardness
Answer
(a) The presence of hydrogen carbonates of calcium and magnesium makes water temporarily hard.
(b) The presence of sulphates and chlorides of magnesium and calcium makes water permanently hard.
Question 5
State two ways, by which a saturated solution can be changed to unsaturated solution.
Answer
A saturated solution can be changed to an unsaturated solution by:
1. heating.
2. adding more solvent.
Question 6
What is a soap, what is it used for?
Answer
Soap is chemically a sodium salt of stearic acid (an organic acid with the formula C 17H35COOH) and has the formula
C17H35COONa (sodium stearate, can be represented by NaSt).
Soap is used for washing & cleaning purposes.
Question 7
What is the advantage of a detergent over soap ?
Answer
Detergent are more soluble in water than soap and are unaffected by hardness of water as their calcium and magnesium
salts are soluble in water so they do not form scum and cleaning action is easily done.
1. Salts and minerals are essential for growth and development of plants.
2. They add taste to water.
3. They supply the essential minerals needed by our body.
Question 3
What are the advantages of
(i) soft water
(ii) Hard water
Answer
(i) Advantages of soft water
1. With soft water soaps and cleansing agents are consumed less, hence, money is saved.
2. Soft water does not leave deposits of minerals on pipes which makes plumbing works easy.
3. Clothes washed with soft water lasts long and stay bright.
1. The presence of salts in hard water makes it tasty. It is used in preparation of beverages and wine.
2. Calcium and magnesium salts present in small amounts in hard water are essential for the growth of our bones
and teeth.
3. Hard water checks poisoning of water by lead pipes. When these pipes are used for carrying water, some lead salts
dissolve in water to make it poisonous. Calcium sulphate present in hard water forms insoluble lead sulphate in the
form of a layer inside the lead pipe and this checks the lead poisoning.
Question 4
What are stalagmites and stalactites? How are they formed?
Answer
In some limestone caves, sometimes conical pillar-like objects hanging from the roof of the caves and some rising from the
floors are seen. These conical pillars which grow upward from the floor of the caves are known as stalagmites, and the
structures which grow downwards from the roof are called stalactites.
These are formed by water dripping from the cracks in the rocks containing calcium hydrogen carbonate. Calcium
hydrogen carbonate converts to calcium carbonate when pressure is released. Gradually, calcium carbonate deposits both
on roof and floor to form stalagmites and stalactites.
Question 5
Give equations to show what happens when temporary hard water is
(a) boiled
(b) treated with slaked lime
Answer
(a) By boiling carbon dioxide is driven off and the soluble hydrogen carbonates are converted into insoluble carbonates and
could be removed by filtration or decantation.
Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are precipitated leaving the water soft.
Ca(HCO3)2 →Boil Boil CaCO3 ↓ + H2O + CO2 ↑
Mg(HCO3)2 →Boil Boil MgCO3 ↓ + H2O + CO2 ↑
(b) Lime stone is first thoroughly mixed with water in a tank and then fed into another tank containing the hard water.
Revolving paddles thoroughly mix the two solutions.
Most of calcium carbonate settles down. If there is any solid left over, it is removed by a filter. This process goes by the
name 'Clark's process'.
Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 ⟶ 2CaCO3 ↓ + 2H2O
Mg(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 ⟶ MgCO3 ↓ + CaCO3 ↓ + 2H2O
Question 6
State the disadvantages of using hard water.
Answer
1. Furring of tea kettles is caused by sediment formed from boiling hard water. This fur is carbonates of calcium amd
magnesium.
2. Hard water is unfit for washing purposes because it is difficult to form lather with soap. Scum may form in a
reaction with soap, wasting the soap.
3. Hard water is not suitable for producing steam. Solids in hard water incapable of changing into steam get deposited
on the inner walls of the tubes. Hence, the tubes become narrower and eventually less steam is produced.
Question 7
Why does the hardness of water render it unfit for use in a
(i) boiler
(ii) for washing purposes?
Answer
(i) The dissolved substance present in the hard water does not convert into steam and gets deposited on the inner walls of
the tube. Hence, the tubes become narrower and eventually less steam is produced.
When bore of the tube becomes very narrow, the pressure of steam increases so much that at times the boiler itself bursts.
Hence, hard water is unfit for use in boilers.
(ii) If the water is hard, calcium and magnesium ions of the water combine with the negative ions of the soap to form a
slimy precipitate of insoluble calcium and magnesium usually called soap curd (scum).
Formation of soap curd will go on as long as calcium and magnesium ions are present. Till then, no soap lather will be
formed and cleaning of clothes or body will not be possible. Moreover, these precipitates are difficult to wash from fabrics
and sometimes form rusty spots if iron salts are present in water.
Question 8
Explain with equation, what is noticed when permanent hard water is treated with
(a) slaked lime
(b) washing soda
Answer
(a) In order to treat permanent hard water, slaked lime is used, magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate precipitates
out and can be easily filtered.
MgSO4 + Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 ⟶ Mg(OH)2 ↓ + CaCO3 ↓ + Na2SO4
(b) Washing soda is added to hard water, which results in settling down of insoluble carbonates which can be removed by
filtration.
Question 9
What is permutit method, how can it be used for softening hard water ?
Answer
Permutit is an artificial zeolite. Chemically, it is hydrated sodium aluminium orthosilicate, having the formula
Na2Al2Si2O8.XH2O. For the sake of convenience, let us give it the formula Na2P.
A tall cylinder is loosely filled with lumps of permutit. When hard water containing calcium and magnesium ions
percolates through these lumps, exchange of ions takes place. The sodium permutit is slowly changed into calcium and
magnesium permutit, and with the removal of calcium and magnesium ions, the water become soft.
When no longer active, the permutit is regenerated by running a concentrated solution of brine over it and removing the
calcium chloride formed by repeated washing.
CaP + 2NaCl ⟶ Na2P + CaI2
(a) Identify and label the curves with the salt it represents.
(b) State the factors on which the solubility depends.
(c) Solubility of which salt(s) shows :
(i) Endothermic process
(ii) Exothermic process?
Answer
(a) The labelled curves are shown below:
(b) Solubility of a solid in a solvent depends on the following factors:
1. Size of solute particles — The smaller the size of the solute particles, the greater is its total surface area exposed to
the solvent. Therefore, greater is the solubility of that solute.
2. Stirring — This brings more of the solvent in contact with the solute and thus increases the rate of formation of
solution.
3. Temperature — The solubility of a gas in a liquid always decreases with rise in temperature. But the solubility of
most solids in water usually increases with rise in temperature.