Question
multicolumn(1)(|c|)( ion ) & concentration in mathrm(mg) mathrm(dm)^-1 chloride & 60.70 fluoride & 0.24 nitrate & 24.90 sulfate & 71.40 copper & 0.05 magnesium & 9.10 Figure 3 Using this information, explain why this sample of potable water is not the same as pure water.
Answer
4.3
(166 Votes)
Joanne
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
This sample of potable water is not the same as pure water due to the presence of varied ions such as Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate, Sulfate, Copper and Magnesium. They contribute to the 'water hardness,' altering its purity, a factor wholly lacking in pure water.
Explanation
Potable water refers to water that is safe for humans to drink without any risk of the health issues. However, it doesn't mean it needs to be ‘pure.' Pure water, chemically speaking, implies water that encompass strictly two Hydrogen molecules and one Oxygen molecule (H2O), completely devoid of other chemical substances.If we focus on Figure 3, we see that it is a table delineating the different ions frequency in a specific amount of water, measured in milligrams per decimetre (mg/dm).The listing includes ions, and their specific concentrations, respectively:- Chloride 60.70 - Fluoride 0.24- Nitrate 24.90- Sulfate 71.40- Copper 0.05- Magnesium 9.10As per the presence of these significant ions/chemicals can bring to our acknowledgment of the sample of potable water precisely not being 'pure' water. Pure water won’t include such ions, which denotes that disparities are due to this bearing of other constituents besides H2O.