What happens when you boil water with temporary hardness?

Study for the Grade 9 Environmental Chemistry Test. Use a blend of multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Master key concepts and prepare effectively!

Multiple Choice

What happens when you boil water with temporary hardness?

Explanation:
Temporary hardness comes from bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. When you boil the water, these bicarbonates decompose into carbonates, water, and carbon dioxide. The carbonates are not very soluble, so they precipitate out as solid scales, removing calcium and magnesium from the water. That’s why boiling reduces temporary hardness. Permanent hardness, caused by sulfates and chlorides of calcium and magnesium, stays dissolved and isn’t removed by boiling. So boiling effectively lowers the portion of hardness linked to bicarbonates by forming carbonates that precipitate, while the sulfate/chloride part remains.

Temporary hardness comes from bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. When you boil the water, these bicarbonates decompose into carbonates, water, and carbon dioxide. The carbonates are not very soluble, so they precipitate out as solid scales, removing calcium and magnesium from the water. That’s why boiling reduces temporary hardness. Permanent hardness, caused by sulfates and chlorides of calcium and magnesium, stays dissolved and isn’t removed by boiling. So boiling effectively lowers the portion of hardness linked to bicarbonates by forming carbonates that precipitate, while the sulfate/chloride part remains.

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