Question

Would you be able to check whether water is hard by using a detergent? Why?

Answer 1

Answer:yes

Explanation: Water will form lather with soft water but not with hard water.Soap forms lather in soft water but not in hard water because hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions which react with soap to form a sticky white precipitate called scum.

Answer 2

Explanation:

• The long chain of carboxylic acids presents in the ammonium and sulphonate salts are known as detergents.
• But like soap, detergents do not form scum when they are mixed in hard water which contains calcium and magnesium ions in it.
• Detergent produces lather in a good amount irrespective of the water being hard or soft. This observation completely depicts that detergent is used in both hard as well as soft water.
• Hence, it is confirmed that detergents would not be able to check whether the water is hard or not.