🧼⚗️Chemistry Students Explore Water Hardness 🥽💧
Year 9 Chemistry students from San Gorg Preca and St Theresa College recently investigated water hardness as part of their practical work. Students collected water samples from home and school including tap, dehumidifier, reverse osmosis, well, and rainwater, and tested each sample for pH and water hardness.
Water hardness is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Hard water can damage equipment, causing scaling in hot water pipes, and create ‘fur’ in kettles.
Students measured how much soap was needed to produce a lather in each sample. Soft water lathers easily, forming soap and clear layers, while hard water reacts with soap to form a cloudy solution.
Working collaboratively, students shared and analysed their findings across schools, developing their investigation and teamwork skills. They also explored methods of removing water hardness including washing soda, ion-exchange columns, and boiling in the case of temporary hardness. Thank you to their teacher Mr E. Thake for sharing.
