Definition of hard water
When there is a high ratio of calcium and magnesium in water, it is said to be hard water. Hard water comes from the natural condition when the calcium and magnesium carbonate filter like chalk and limestone.
Water acts as a “universal solvent” because no other liquid can dissolve any substance as water does. Water is the most critical part of surviving in every human’s life. Life is incomplete without water, as animals and plants cannot survive without it.
Definition of soft water
When the amount of magnesium and calcium is low in the water compared to the ratio in hard water, it is known as soft water. The word soft water is derived from the process of softening water. Sometimes there is a high amount of bicarbonate and sodium in this. Soft water occurs naturally from rocks with poor calcium levels and is usually impermeable. They form a drainage basin of water.
Difference between hard and soft water
S. No. | Hard Water | Soft Water |
1. | There is a presence of a high amount of calcium and magnesium. | There is less amount of calcium and magnesium in it. |
2. | The mineral concentration is very high. | There is less mineral concentration
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3. | It gives soap with insoluble curd instead of lather. | It always gives soap with lather. |
4. | It is very difficult to digest hard water. | It is easy to digest soft water for drinking purposes. |
5. | It contains a taste of characteristics. | There is a salty taste in it. |
6. | When the water flows from the chalk and limestone, hard water forms. | It is generally rainwater, and also it can be produced by passing hard water over it. |
7. | It usually damages the machines and taps. | It can be used in boilers and other machines. |
8 | There is a very bad effect of hard water on skin and hair. | Soft water is safe and good for use on skin and hair. |
9 | There are hard deposits of salt on the showerhead and other tools. | It does not cause any deposition of salt on tools. |
Properties of water
As water is a universal solvent, it is used multiple times in our day-to-day life like bathing, cooking, drinking, surviving, etc.
A major part of the earth is covered with water, which makes it different from other molecules.
Hydrogen bonding of water is a unique property.
It has a high dielectric constant and is known as hydrolysis.
It is amphoteric in nature because it can act as both acid and base.
Due to the intermolecular force of attraction, water has high viscosity.
Water as universal solvent
Water acts as a “universal solvent” because no other liquid can dissolve any substance as water does. Water is the most important part of surviving in every human’s life. Life is incomplete without water, as animals and plants cannot survive without water. When water mixes with air, the ground, or from our bodies, it usually takes along all kinds of valuable minerals, nutrients, and chemicals.
Water acts as an excellent universal solvent due to its chemical compositions and physical attributes. The polar arrangement of oxygen and hydrogen in water molecules like one side oxygen has a negative charge and one side hydrogen has a positive electrical charge. This is the main reason why other molecules are attracted to water molecules.
Conclusion
When there is a high ratio of calcium and magnesium in water, then it is said to be hard water. Hard water comes from the natural condition when the filter through calcium and magnesium carbonate like chalk and limestone.
Water acts as a “universal solvent” because no other liquid can dissolve any substance as water does. Water is the most important part of surviving in every human’s life. Life is incomplete without water, as animals and plants cannot survive without water. When there is a high ratio of calcium and magnesium in water, then it is said to be hard water.
Hard water comes from the natural condition when the filter through calcium and magnesium carbonate like chalk and limestone. It is safe to use soft water for daily purposes in life, but not hard water, as it has an adverse effect on skin and hair.