Topic 4 Water

Introduction
Water is the most abundant substance on the surface of our planet and is essential for all living
organisms

Water Cycle
Water in rivers, lakes and the oceans is evaporated by the heat of the Sun (endothermic).
The water vapor formed rises into the atmosphere, cools and forms clouds of condensation
(exothermic). Clouds eventually condense into rain and snow (precipitation). Precipitated water
eventually returns to the rivers, seas and oceans.

Uses of water
a) In Industry
1. Cooling
2. As a solvent
3. For cleaning
4. As a reactant
b) At home
1. Drinking
2. Cooking
3. Cleaning

Implication of inadequate supply of water

Lack of availability of fresh water leads to waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, and to diarrhea,
which is one of the biggest killers across the world. Agriculture needs a water supply in order to irrigate
crops, especially in areas of the world with hot climates. .

Water Pollution

1. Some gases, such as sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen produced by combustion of fossil fuels in
factories, dissolve in the rain and produce acid rain.
2. Fertilizers in rivers increase plant growth just as they do on land. River plants and algae grow
rapidly (called eutrophication), and eventually die in large numbers. Bacteria that feeds on the dead
plant material use up the oxygen in the water. Fish may then die because of the lack of oxygen.
3. Power stations which generate electricity consume huge amounts of water for cooling purposes.
When water is returned to rivers or lakes it will be hotter, decreasing oxygen solubility. Aquatic life
suffers as a result of lesser oxygen.

Water Treatment
Steps involved in water treatment are:
Storage
Filtration and screening
Aeration
Sterilization

Water is made safe to drink by removing solids and killing bacteria.

Solids are removed by filtration and sedimentation. Water is allowed to flow through stone and
sand filter beds to remove solid materials. The sand becomes finer near to the bottom of the filter
to remove small solids.
Tiny particles which are still suspended in the water are allowed to settle and fall to the bottom.
This is called sedimentation.
Chlorine is bubbled through the water to kill bacteria.
The safe clear water is pumped through underground pipes to houses.
The diagram below summarizes the steps of treatment of water

In addition to chlorine, other methods can be used to sterilize water, these include:
1. Ultra violet light
2. Adding Ozone
The addition of ozone kills the bacteria easily and can also attack some of the organic matter
responsible for the bad smell of water.
But ozone is a highly poisonous gas so care has to be taken when adding it.
3. Some countries add sodium fluoride, NaF, to the water to reduce the tooth decay.
This is not highly recommended because it leads to the appearance of permanent black lines in the
teeth.

Natural water
Natural water is not pure as it contains dissolved salts and gases (water is a universal solvent).

Pure (distilled) water

Pure water can only be produced by distillation.
It is not good to drink distilled water. Water is a source of ions for the body, without which health
problems.

Test for the presence of water

1. Using anhydrous copper (II) sulfate

Water turns white anhydrous copper (II) sulfate blue
CuSO4 (s) + 5 H2O (l)
White

CuSO4.5H2O
blue

2. Using anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride.

Water turns blue anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride pink
CoCl2 (s) + 6 H2O (l)
Blue

CoCl2.6H2O
pink

Test for water purity

By determining the boiling point (100C) and/or freezing point (0C).
Any pure material must have a sharp, fixed and definite freezing point and boiling point.
So if the liquid boils at a fixed 100C and/or freezes at a fixed 0C then it is pure water.

Water of crystallization
It is the definite amount of water with which the substance is associated on crystallizing out from its
aqueous solution. It is responsible for the crystal shape of a salt.
Examples:
Hydrated copper (II) sulphate
CuSO4.5H2O
Hydrated iron (II) sulphate
FeSO4.7H2O
A salt that does not contain water of crystallisation is called anhydrous.

Hardness of Water
Water is said to be hard if it doesn't form lather (bubbles) with soap.
Calcium and magnesium ions cause water to be hard.
Hardness could be "permanent" or "temporary".

Temporary Hardness
Rain water is naturally acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide. The acid in rain water is carbonic
acid, H2CO3 (aq). Rocks containing magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate (limestone), will
react with dilute carbonic acid forming hydrogen carbonates.
These calcium and magnesium hydrogen carbonates are slightly soluble in water, causing hardness.
Both calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium hydrogen carbonate decompose (split up)
when they are heated. The original insoluble carbonate is reformed. This happens when water is
boiled.
Boiling the water causes the precipitation of solid calcium carbonate or solid magnesium carbonate.
This removes the calcium ions or magnesium ions from the water, and so removes the hardness.
Therefore, hardness due to hydrogen carbonate is said to be temporary.
Permanent Hardness
Other types of calcium ion or magnesium ion in water such as calcium chloride, CaCl2, calcium
sulfate, CaSO4, magnesium chloride, MgCl2 or magnesium sulfate, MgSO4 are not removed by
boiling the water. These ions in water are said to cause permanent hardness.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard Water
The advantages of hard water include
1) Most people agree that it tastes better.
2) It is thought to reduce the number of heart illnesses.
3) It provides useful calcium ions for the healthy growth of bones and teeth.
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The disadvantages of hard water include

1) Lime scale furring of kettles and pipes. The fur is the insoluble carbonate formed during heating
water with temporary hardness. The deposits of lime scale can build up on the inside of the pipe
restricting the flow of water or causing a blockage
2) Soap is wasted because more soap is required for washing.