Water: Its Properties and Purification

Theory:
Water
 One of the most abundant compounds on Earth.
 It is essential in all living organisms and necessary to sustain B. Blue Vitriol
life. Exposed into atmosphere – nothing happened
 Its chemical components that consists of 2 hydrogen atoms
and an oxygen atom covalently bonded together.
 Its unique physical properties, it can exist in three state of
matter.
 It is known to be a universal solvent due to its high polarity
characteristics as a molecule. Heated blue Vitriol
 It exhibits different physical properties like solubility which CuSO4 ● 5 H2O(s) + heat  CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(g)
allows to dissolve ionic compound, other polar molecules but light/sky blue crystal white crystal
it will repel nonpolar molecules, surface tension which make a
strong electrostatic interaction with itself and enables to
produce a “skin” on water, strong enough to hold very light
objects.
 Another important property is the hydrate formation of a
compound/element in which a certain compound/element Anhydrous Copper (II) Sulfate
absorbs water from the atmosphere at low temperature and CuSO4(s) + 5 H2O(l)  CuSO4 ● 5H2O(s)
high pressure. white crystal light/sky blue crystal
Impurities
 Since water is highly polar, almost all substances are in
contact are dissolve on it and these substances are
contaminants and impurities.
 One of the form of impurities are the hardness in water and
these are the amount of calcium and magnesium salts in
water. Hardness in water can be temporary and permanent
hardness. These water impurities can be removed by several
C. USES OF WATER
process of purification like boiling, distillation, and different
1. Use as a solvent
procedure of treatment of water.
To dissolve the solid (solute substances)
Purification
Solute – the one that dissolves
 Purification of water Is process by which undesired chemical
Solvent – the one that does the dissolving
compounds, organic and inorganic materials, and biological
I. BaCl2(s) (white) and K2CrO4(s) (egg yellow):
contaminants are removed from water.
nothing happens
 One major purpose of water purification is to provide clean II. BaCl2 and K2CrO4 + water: dissolves in water
drinking water. Water purification also meets the needs of BaCl2(aq) + K2CrO4(aq)  BaCrO4(s) + 2KCl(aq)
medical, pharmacological, chemical, and industrial egg yellow precipitate
applications for clean and potable water. Precipitate – a reaction between two solutions forming a solid
 The purification procedure reduces the concentration of substance
contaminants and impurities
2. Use for dilution
A & C. Hydrates, Anhydrous, Efflorescence & Deliquescence Resulting for a less concentrated solution
•Hydrate = A compound containing water molecules: III. Concentrated nitric acid (pure substance):
Example: Na2SO4 ● 10 H2O(s) 4HNO3(l) +Cu(s)  Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
•Anhydrous compound = a compound does not contain water  Cu(NO3)2(aq) : Blue green solution for
molecules.  NO2(g) : brown gas
Example: CaCl2(s)

Procedure and Observations

A. EFFLORESCENCE AND DELIQUESCENCE
•Efflorescence = property of a crystal releases water when
exposed to atmosphere with low vapor pressure, it becomes
anhydrous.
Glauber’s salt From Concentrated substance added with water to form
o Na2SO4 ● 10 H2O(s)  Na2SO4(s) + 10 H2O(g) diluted solution
IV. Concentrated Nitric Acid (HNO3 + H2O form
Diluted nitric acid solution, HNO3(aq):
8 HNO3(aq) + 3Cu(s)  Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO(g) + 4H2O(l)
 Cu(NO3)2(aq) = blue solution
 NO(g) = yellow gas
•Deliquescence = property of a crystal that absorbs water from
the atmosphere with high vapor pressure, it becomes hydrated.
Exposing anhydrous calcium chloride to the atmosphere
CaCl2(s) + H2O(l)  CaCl2 ● xH2O(aq)

D. HYDROLYSIS – a chemical process of decomposition

involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen
cation and the hydroxide anion of water
Example: Original: Water + ferric chloride: yellow, clear liquid
SILICA GEL
Used as a desiccant to control local humidity to avoid
spoilage or degradation of some and adsorbs moisture
very well.
A granular, vitreous, porous form of silicon dioxide made
synthetically from sodium silicate. Continue heating for 5 minutes
6 H2O + 2FeCl3  2 Fe(OH)3 + 6HCl
 Resulting of brown acidic solution.
E. SURFACE TENSION
the tension of the surface film of a liquid caused by the
attraction of the particles in the surface layer by the bulk of the
liquid, which tends to minimize surface area.
The property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist
an external force, due to the cohesive nature of its molecules.
The cohesive forces between molecules in a liquid are shared
with all neighboring molecules.
SURFACE TENSION AT A MOLECULAR LEVEL
G. PURIFICATION OF WATER
Turbidity:
is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large
numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to
the naked eye, similar to smoke in air.
is a measure of the amount of suspended sediment and
visible particles in a sample of water
measures the cloudiness of the water.
A clear water has low turbidity (beaker on the left) and water
with high turbidity is opaquer (beaker on the right).

EXAMPLES: PURIFICATION
O Flour floats above the water Water holds tiny suspended particles that are very difficult for
O After adding the soap solution disturbance of the surface a filter to catch.
tension of water Alum solution is used as coagulants or flocculants (forming
O Mixing of flour in water large particles).
Alum causes them to clump together so that they can settle
out of the water or be easily trapped by a filter.
to make turbid water clear and particulate‐free
Used in water treatment

1. Turbid water + alum solution (potassium aluminum sulfate) +

NH4OH
O Until solution is basis: Red litmus turns to blue
O Walking on water: Small insects such as the water strider White precipitate
can walk on water because their weight is not enough to After filtration: Clear, colorless water
penetrate the surface. Comparing with original solution: Turbidity was removed
O Floating a needle: A carefully placed small needle can be
made to float on the surface of water even though it is
several times as dense as water. If the surface is agitated
to break up the surface tension, then needle will quickly
sink.
O Don't touch the tent!: Common tent materials are
somewhat rainproof in that the surface tension of water Turbid Water Added with White After Filtration:
alum solution Precipitate or Clear,
will bridge the pores in the finely woven material. But if
+ NH4OH Flocculant colorless
you touch the tent material with your finger, you break the purified water
surface tension and the rain will drip through.
O Clinical test for jaundice: Normal urine has a surface
2. Tap water (hard water) + soap solution: foam or suds
tension of about 66 dynes/centimeter but if bile is present 3. Tap water (hard water) + lime water, Ca(OH) 2: white precipitate
(a test for jaundice), it drops to about 55. In the Hay test, Produced
powdered sulfur is sprinkled on the urine surface. It will + Na2CO3: precipitate was removed
float on normal urine, but will sink if the surface tension is Compare 2 & 3 after adding soap solution: More foam or suds
lowered by the bile. produce in no. 3 than in no. 2
O Surface tension disinfectants: Disinfectants are usually
solutions of low surface tension. This allow them to spread H. DISTILLATION
out on the cell walls of bacteria and disrupt them. A process of purifying a substance; or a miscible liquid with
O Soaps and detergents: These help the cleaning of different boiling temperature; or soluble mixture.
clothes by lowering the surface tension of the water so Example:
that it more readily soaks into pores and soiled areas. o Purify water: producing distilled water
O Washing with cold water: The major reason for using hot o Miscible liquid: alcohol and water
water for washing is that its surface tension is lower and it
o Soluble mixture: salt & and water
is a better wetting agent. But if the detergent lowers the
Distillation involves: Evaporation and condensation
surface tension, the heating may be unnecessary.
O Why bubbles are round: The surface tension of water
provides the necessary wall tension for the formation of
bubbles with water. The tendency to minimize that wall
tension pulls the bubbles into spherical shapes.
O Surface Tension and Droplets: Surface tension is
responsible for the shape of liquid droplets. Although
easily deformed, droplets of water tend to be pulled into a
spherical shape by the cohesive forces of the surface
layer.

F. DIFFUSION
the movement of a fluid from an area of higher concentration
to an area of lower concentration.
the movement of particles down a concentration gradient.
A result of the kinetic properties of particles of matter.
The particles will mix until they are evenly distributed.
Improvised Distillation
I. HARDNESS IN WATER (CONTAINING IMPURITIES)
Hardness in water is due to the present of mineral salts of
carbonate, bicarbonates, chlorides & sulfates of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe+3
Ca(HCO3)2 CaCl2
CaCO3 CaSO4
Mg(HCO3)2 MgCl2
MgCO3 MgSO4
Fe(HCO3)3 FeCl3
Fe2(CO3)3 Fe2(SO4)3

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
No. of drops
Standard soap Detergent
Type of water solution solution Observation
Distilled water Least least Least no. of drops
Tap water More (hardest) more More
Boiled water moderate moderate moderate

J. BOILING WATER
Heated Tap Water:
Ca(HCO3)2  CaCO3(s) + H2O + CO2
White
Types of Hardness of Water:
Temporary Hardness - due to the presence of bicarbonate,
HCO 3 – 1 & carbonate, CO 3 – 2 of Ca 2+, Mg 2+, Fe +3 like calcium
carbonate, magnesium carbonate and ferric carbonate can
be removed by boiling or distillation.
o Ca(HCO3)2
o CaCO3
o Mg(HCO3)2
o MgCO3
o Fe(HCO3)3
o Fe2(CO3)3
Permanent Hardness - due to the presence of chlorides, Cl – 1
and sulfates, SO 4 – 2 of Ca 2+, Mg 2+, Fe +3 and can be removed
by cation and anion exchange.
o CaCl2
o CaSO4
o MgCl2
o MgSO4
o FeCl3
o Fe2(SO4)3
Soft water = treated water, absence of minerals and removal of
permanent hardness

Assignment (do not answer)

1. Give the 3 physical and 3 chemicals properties of water and
discuss each property and give example for each property.
2. Explain the surface tension and adhesion property of water.
3. Discuss how to purify water using distillation process.
4. Draw the laboratory distillation set up to purify water
5. One way to purify water is using reverse osmosis process,
discuss its operating procedure.
6. What are the factors that causes turbidity and discuss briefly
each factor?
7. How is turbidity measured?
8. Differentiate the types of hardness in water.
9. How may hardness in water be removed?
10. What are the health effects of hardness in water?