CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
(Session 2024-25)
Testing the hardness, presence of Iron, Fluoride, Chloride, etc.,
depending upon the regional variation in drinking water and study of
causes of presence of these ions above permissible limit
TO: Sweta Saxena By: Devansh Gupta
(Chemistry teacher) Class : 11th A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The completion of my project depends on the cooperation, coordination
and combined efforts of rendered sources of time, material, knowledge
and energy. Hence I felt proud in taking this opportunity to thank and
acknowledge the efforts of all those people who directly or indirectly
helped in successful completion of this project of min, a deep sense of
obligation and gratitude is owned towards my chemistry teacher, Mrs
Sweta Saxena who has the guiding spirit behind the completion of this
project and encouraged me whole heartedly during my venture . I would
also like to thank our chemistry laboratory assistant in carrying out the
related practical work. I would also thank my family for corporation
with me and guiding me right path. I am grateful to my classmates and
friends for their unconditional support and motivation during this major
project.
It is a great opportunity for me to extend my heartiest felt gratitude to
each and every one who helped me throughout the course of this major
project in anyway.
Teacher’s Sign.
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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the matter and ideas for this project has been
gathered independently by my student, Devansh Gupta of class XI A
Ramshree India International School; and is presented under my
supervision.
This is also to clarify that this major Chemistry Project entitled to ‘Test the
hardness, presence of Iron, Fluoride, Chloride, etc., depending upon the
regional variation in drinking water and study of causes of presence of
these ions above permissible limit’s an authenticated record of the student’s
own work carried out by him under my guidance and supervision.
This is also to clarify that this project has not been submitted to other
institutes of education.
Mrs Sweta Saxena
Chemistry Teacher
Chemistry Department
Teacher’s Sign
3
INDEX
S. No Topic Pg. no
Introduction
1 5
2 Aim 6
3 Material Required 6
4 Theory 7
5 Experimental Procedures 8
5 Observation 9
6 Result 9
7 Bibliography 10
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Introduction
Hardness of water is determined by concentration of multivalent cations present in
water. Hard water contains Ca2+, Mg2+ ions. Hardness of water can be removed
by adding sodium carbonate to hard water .Sometimes salts are dangerous for
human health. Therefore, it is necessary to detect presence of these ions and
remove them to stay on safer side.
TYPES OF HARDNESS IN WATER:
1)Temporary hardness
2)Permanent hardness
TEMPORARY HARDNESS:
Temporary hardness is due to the presence of biocarbonates of calcium and
magnesium. It can be easily removed by boiling.
PERMANENT HARDNESS:
Permanent hardness is due to the presence of chlorides and sulphates of calcium
and magnesium. This type of hardness cannot be removed by boiling.
SALTS PRESENT IN WATER
Sulphate in groundwater is caused by natural deposits of magnesium sulphate,
calcium sulphate or sodium sulphate. Concentrations should be below 250 ppm.
Higher concentrations are undesirable because of their laxative effects. Iron as it
exists in natural groundwater is in the soluble (ferrous) state but, when exposed to
oxygen, is converted into the insoluble (ferric) state with its characteristic reddish
brown or rusty color. Chlorides in groundwater can be naturally occurring in deep
aquifers or caused by pollution from sea water, brine, or industrial or domestic
wastes. Chloride concentration above 250 mg/l can produce a distinct taste in
drinking water. Fluorinated water contains fluoride at a level that is effective for
preventing cavities; this can occur naturally or by adding fluoride.
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Aim:- To determine the hardness, presence of iron, fluoride, chloride
depending upon the regional variation in drinking water and study of
causes of presence of these ions.
Material Required :- Test tubes , Pipette , Beakers , Stop watch ,
Corks , Test tube stand , Soap solution , Calcium chloride
solution , Sodium sulphate , Distilled water , Iron(II)sulphate
solution , Sodium chloride , Potassium nitrate , Magnesium
sulphate
Theory:
HARD WATER: Water with very high mineral content is called hard water. Hard
water is when water percolates through deposits of chalk and limestone. We know
that limestone and chalk are made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates.
INDICATOR OF HARDNESS IN WATER: Hardness in water indicates an
inability to form lather with soap solution. The effect of various dissolved salts,
containing several different cations and anions, on the formation on lather, is
investigated. Following example of hard water containing calcium and magnesium
ions, shows formation of insoluble precipitate.
2 C17H35COO- + Na+ + Ca2+ → (C17H35COO)2Ca + 2 Na+
2 C17H35COO+ + Na+ + Mg2+ →(C17H35COO)2Mg + 2Na+
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Experimental Procedure
I. Determining Hardness Of Water :
Put about 10 drops of the following in different test tubes:
Test tube 1-distilled or deionised water
Test tube 2-calcium chloride solution
Test tube 3-sodium sulphate solution
Test tube 4-Iron (II) sulphate solution
Test tube 5-Sodium chloride solution
Test tube 6-potassium nitrate solution
Test tube 7-magnesium sulphate
Take out 50 mL of soap solution in a small beaker.
Pipette out about 5 mL soap solution in each test tube.
Close the mouth of each test tube with cork and shake it vigorously.
Note which tube contains a foamy lather and which do not.
II. Testing Iron In Water: ‘
Take 5 mL water in a test tube. Add two drops of dilute H2SO4.
Boil the contents and allow it to cool.
Now, add 2-3 drops of ammonium sulphocyanide.
III. Testing Chloride In Water:
Take 5 mL water in a test tube. Add 2 drops of concentrated HNO3 in it.
Boil the contents of the test tube and allow it to cool.
Now, add 2-3 drops of AgNO3 solution to it.
IV. Testing Fluoride In Water :
Take 5 mL water in a test tube.
Add water, silver nitrate and dilute nitric acid to it.
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Observations
I. Determining Hardness Of Water :
Test Tubes Solution Lather Formed Or Not
1 Distilled Water Yes
2 Calcium Chloride No
3 Sodium Sulphate Yes
4 Sodium Chloride Yes
5 Potassium Nitrate Yes
6 Magnesium Sulphate No
7 Iron ( II ) Sulphate Yes
II. Testing Iron In Water : ‘
Appearance of orange colour indicates the presence of iron in water.
III Testing Chloride In Water :
Appearance of curdy precipitate indicates the presence of chloride in water.
IV. Testing Fluoride In Water :
No precipitate indicates presence of fluoride ion in water.
Result
Presence of salt contents in different source of water is detected experimentally.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.wikipedia.com
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition
https://www.yashodahospitals.com/blog
http://www.steepers.net/chemical-composition-of-
tea.html
