9.

CLEANING OF SOAP IN
HARD AND SOFT WATER
Experiment 9
OAIM

of the
Study of comparative cleani
comparative
cleaning capacity of a sample of soap in soft and hard water.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

nles of hard water, soft water (distilled water), calcium chloride, magnesium sulphate, physical or digital balance,
Sample.
box, two test tubes, a test tube stand, five beakers (100 ml), a glass rod, burner, tripod stand, wire gauze, a
weight
asuringcylinder (50 ml) and a measuring scale (6 inch).

THEORY

when
When
soap is shaken in soft water which does not contain Ca" and Mg ions, lot of lather is formed which helps in
cleaning clothes.

wWhen soap is shaken with hard water which contains Ca and Mg* ions, very less lather is formed and cleaning of
clothes does not take place.

Hard water contains hydrogen carbonates, sulphates and chlorids of calcium and magnesium, which are soluble inwater
Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids which react with Ca and Mg* to form calcium and magnesium
salts of fatty acids which are called "scum". It is insoluble in water, so soap goes waste.
Ca+2C,H COONa- (C,H COO), Ca +2Na
Sodium stearate Calcium stearate
(soap) (scum)
Mg" +2C,,H,COONa (CH CO0), Mg +2Na
Magnesium stearate
(scum)
PROCEDURE

Take a 100 ml beaker.

Weight 1 g of sample of soap with the help of balance and put in the beaker.
Add 20 ml of distilled water in the beaker. Dissolve the soap by stirring the mixture with the help of glass rod.
Warm a little if soap does not dissolve.
Take a test tube stand and place four test tubes in it and label them as 'A', B, C'and D'.
Take four beakers 'A', B, C and TD of 100 ml each.
Take 20 ml of distilled water in 'A', 20 ml of tap water in 'B, 20 ml of distilled water in which 1 g of MgS0, is
dissolved in C and take 20 ml of distilled water in which 1g of MgS0, and 1 g of CaCl, both are dissolved in 'D'.
Add 10 ml of each type of water in test tubes 'A', B, 'C and D' respectively.
Add 2 ml each ofsoap solution prepared in corresponding test tube.
Measure the initial length ofsolution in 'A", B, 'C'and D'.
Take the test tube 'A and shake it 10 times by placing thumb over it as shown in diagram.
Foam will be formed. Measure the final length ofsoap solution and foam produced immediately with the help of
Scale and record in observation table.
Repeat the same procedure with other three test tubes and note down the length offoam in observation table.
) Mass of soap taken =
.
Science Lab Skills-X 67
 dissolved =
l l

ml.
,

which soap was

(11) Volume of distilled water in
IMI,
i ) Volume ofsoap solution added to each test tube . .
mi.
(1) Volume of each
water added to each test tube....
sample
(v) Number of times each test tube shaken = . mes.

Test tube

Movement of the test tube

Soap solution

(A) Test tubes containing different samples of water (B) Shaking of the test tube

(C) To compare the foaming capacity of soap in different samples of water

Fig. 9.1 Comparative cleaning capacity of soap

ev OBSERVATION TABLE
Sample Initial length Final length Length of foam produced Inference
of water in cm in cm in cm in cm

1.

e 2

3.

4.

e RESULT

The sample of water 'A' produces maximum length of foam, therefore, it is soft water. B' produces less foam, it is han
water. C produces even less foam, it is more hard water than 'B. Sample D' produces minimum foam, it is most hart
water.
The order of hardness of water is B <C<D whereas A' is soft water.
e

PRECAUTIONS
1. Use distilled water for dissolving soap.
2. Stir the mixture carefully so as to avoid spilling.
3. Take same quantity of water in each beaker.
ey

4. Use digital balance for weighing if available.

5. Shake every test tube equal number of times.
6. Measure the length immediately after production of foam.
7. Use wire gauze for warming beaker containing soap solution if needed.