Do different water sources have varying mineral content?
Water that contains minerals in it is called hard water. The hardness or level of the mineral content varies from location to location. In this experiment, you will examine the mineral content of various waters by mixing the water with soap. Two common elements in hard water are magnesium and calcium. These minerals can lessen the cleaning ability of soap by preventing the lathering action. Hard-water minerals readily bind to the soap molecules, forming a large and heavy compound that sinks. The result is a soap scum that does not dissolve in water. (Water softeners remove the hard minerals.) To determine the hardness of varying water sources, you will mix water with soap. You will use tap water, rainwater, and chalk-water. Chalk is a form of…
