Study the Comparative Cleaning Capacity of a Sample of Soap in Soft and Hard Water

Introduction

The use of soap in this specific experiment is to see the extent it can be used in order to clean a given object. They are soap and water which will be used to observe the result of the reaction. This is the reaction where soap reacts with hard and soft water.

Aim of the experiment

The aim of this experiment tries to look into a certain fact that is mainly associated with cleaning an object stained with something. This experiment tries to focus on the total amount of cleaning a sample of soap is able to do by mixing with soft and hard water.

Theory of the experiment

The theory of this experiment is to say the sample of soap is basic by nature. This serves as the one and only reason as to the constituent of certain soap. Total composition of sodium and potassium is changed in salt. The soap has a proper chain of carboxylic acid in order to have a proper quality of this salt. The basic structure of this element is known to be hydrophobic and hydrophilic by nature.

This hydrophobic structure is present at the end where hydrocarbons are situated. The hydrophilic structure is the other end of this chain where anions are present. The process of emulsion occurs when the end has ions that move towards the water. On the contrary, the end with no ions starts to move towards the oil used to make the soap.

What is soft water?

This is the kind of water that barely holds a small number of elements that represent metallic properties. This is the reason why a glass of water that does not have any trace of calcium and magnesium in them is called soft water. This type of water is very good at cleaning clothes, hands and utensils as they are able to make lather.

What is hard water?

The water that is highly rich with the ions of certain metallic elements is known as hard water. This type of water is not able to produce enough lather at all.

Procedures of the experiment

The procedure of this experiment is divided into two halves. They are as follows -

• A test tube has to be taken and incised with an X.

• The next step is to pour a small amount of soft water.

• A second test tube must be denoted with a Y.

• The same amount of hard water must be poured into a test tube labelled Y.

• Some drops of soap solution must be left in both test tubes.

• After the solution is poured the two test tubes must be stirred vigorously for the same amount of time.

• The next step is to hold the test tubes under the light in order to observe the results.

In the second half of the procedure, these steps must be followed -

• Two test tubes must be taken with a label of P and Q.

• Similarly, soft and hard water must be poured in equal amounts.

• One drop of edible oil has to be poured into either of these test tubes.

• A few drops of soap solutions must be dropped in the test tubes.

• They must be vigorously stirred for an equal amount of time for further observation.

Observation and result of the experiment

There are two particular observations that are going to be found in either of the two test tubes. The observation of this first procedure shows the test tube with the mark of X determines the formation of lather. On the other hand, the Y test tube has a formation of few white precipitates. Thus, the final result of this procedure is that soft water makes lather and foam. The tube with hard water makes precipitates that look white in colour.

Figure 1 − Addition of soap solution in hard and soft water

The second procedure shows an occurrence of emulsified oil in test tube P. The other test tube marked with Q develops no such emulsification. Hence the final result is that one tube shows emulsification of oil while the other fails to show such things.

Precautions of the experiment

The experiment has been divided into two different setups in order to look for the process of emulsion that is happening within the molecules of soap. This is the reason why there are two different sets of precautions that have to be followed. This experiment is not going to cause any kind of accidents as no such materials are used. Therefore, the precautions are to ensure the experiment is done in the right way. The proportion of every material like water, soap and oil has to be equal. The total amount of time must be similar in order to secure the perfect result. These are some basic precautions that must be taken during this experiment.

Conclusion

The tutorial tries to show how soap will react with hard water and soft water. In this case, the observation shows hard water fails to use the soap at its true potential. On the other hand, soft water is the best to clean any dirty product as they make foam when soap is introduced.

FAQs

1. What are the elements that make water change from soft to hard?

The elements that make water change from soft to hard are all kinds of metallic constitutes found on the periodic table. Some of these elements are calcium and magnesium.

2. Who discovered hard water?

Hard water was first discovered in the middle of the 17th century. They were observed by Harry Stephen Meysey Thompson and John Thomas Way.

3. Is it possible to drink hard water?

Yes, it is possible as there are many who can drink this water without any side-effects.