Course/Section: BSIE – 1A Date submitted: 12 – 04- 2023 Group No.

: 2 Score: ____

Chemistry for Engineers Members (Present only) :

Laboratory Report: “Water Properties and Purification”
ALBERCA, MARJORIE KATE C.
CARRILO, ELIZA MAE M.
DAUGDAUD, ALEXANDER JAMES B.
GEAGONIA, JANQUEL B.
MEDRANO, JEZZEL ANN O.
QUEVADO, MARICEL A.
SARIANA, JOHN BENEDICT O.
Introduction

Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance that is
essential for all known forms of life. Its chemical formula is H₂O, indicating that a water molecule
consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Water exists in three primary states:
Solid (Ice): At temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), water molecules slow
down and form a crystalline structure, resulting in the solid state known as ice.

Liquid (Water): At temperatures between 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and 100 degrees
Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) at standard atmospheric pressure, water is in its liquid state. This is
the form of water most encountered on Earth.

Gas (Water Vapor): At temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), water
molecules gain enough energy to break the bonds holding them in the liquid state, and water transitions
into its gaseous form, known as water vapor.

The water molecule's structure is characterized by a bent shape, with the oxygen atom forming a
slightly negative charge (δ-) and the hydrogen atoms forming slightly positive charges (δ+). This
polarity gives water its unique properties, such as the ability to form hydrogen bonds, high specific heat,
and excellent solvent properties.

Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and retain a large amount of
heat without a significant increase in temperature. This property helps regulate the temperature on
Earth and makes water an effective heat sink. Water has a high heat of vaporization, meaning it
requires a substantial amount of heat to change from a liquid to a gas. This property is crucial for the
cooling of organisms and the climate. Cohesion refers to the attraction between molecules of the same
substance (water-water), while adhesion refers to the attraction between molecules of different
substances (water other substances). These properties contribute to capillary action and the movement
of water in plants.

Hydrogen Bonding: Water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with each other. The hydrogen
bonding is a result of the attraction between the positively charged hydrogen atoms in one water
molecule and the negatively charged oxygen atoms in another. This property contributes to water's high
boiling point, high heat of vaporization, and other unique characteristics.

Ionization: While water is a covalent molecule, it can undergo ionization to a small extent. Water
molecules can dissociate into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). This ionization is

represented by the equation: H₂O ⇌ H⁺ + OH⁻.

Acid-Base Properties: Water can act as both an acid and a base. In pure water, there is a balance
between the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻), leading to a neutral pH of
7. When an acid is added, the concentration of H⁺ ions increase, making the solution acidic.
Conversely, when a base is added, the concentration of OH⁻ ions increases, making the solution basic.
Reaction with Metals: Water can react with certain metals, particularly alkali metals and alkaline earth
metals, to produce hydrogen gas. For example, sodium reacts with water as follows: 2Na + 2H₂O →
2NaOH + H₂.

Reaction with Non-Metals: Water can also react with non-metals. For instance, water reacts with
some non-metals, such as carbon, to form acids. The combustion of hydrogen in the presence of
oxygen forms water: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.

Reaction with Salts: Water can dissolve many salts through a process called hydration. In this
process, water molecules surround and interact with individual ions, causing the salt to dissolve. The
dissolved ions become evenly distributed in the water.

Electrolysis: Water can undergo electrolysis, a process in which an electric current is passed through
water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. The reaction is represented as: 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂.

Despite the range of uses and importance of water, many sources of water are now critically
facing severe threats due to human-induced and natural stressors, including pollution. With these,
many innovative processes and techniques were developed to mitigate issues of water pollution. Water
purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended
solids, and gases from water, making it safe and suitable for specific purposes. The purification process
varies depending on the source of water and the intended use.

Learning outcomes

• Successfully understood and observed the different water properties.

• Developed recognition of different water treatment and purification methods, ensuring safe
drinking water, preventing waterborne diseases, and
• Have developed awareness of executing effective response strategies against water pollution.

Materials

• 500 mL water (collected from different sources: (1) freshwater, (2) saltwater, (3) rainwater
• Transparent bottles or containers
 • Litmus paper

Methods/Procedure

A. Collection of water samples

1. Have gone outside the laboratory room. Roamed around the campus, market area, or the
community/neighborhood.
2. Collected water samples (two 500mL water samples per station) for the purification activity and

30mL for microscopy observations.

3. Observed the area where the samples are collected. Then have taken note of any (a) activities,
and (b) vegetation structures, that possibly contributed to water pollution.
4. From the information in step 3, the experimenters identified and listed what specific pollutants
(visible and invisible) can be derived.
5. Consequently, identified the potential solutions/ mitigating measures against these pollutants.

6. Using the given litmus paper, the pH levels of the different water samples were taken.
7. Presented the answer in the table format below:

Location Human Vegetation Pollutants Potential

Activities structure identified solution

B. Purification Process
Water purification is the process conducted by the experimenters and attempted to remove
contaminants, pollutants, and impurities from water, making it suitable for various purposes such as
drinking, irrigation, industrial processes, and more. The specific methods employed for water
purification depend on the quality of the source water and the intended use.

8. Discussions were made among the experimenters on which methods (traditional and
modern) will be utilized and we have decided to use the cloth filtration method as our
traditional purification process and the activated charcoal as the modern purification
process.

Traditional method
I. Cloth Filtration: a simple and effective method for
 removing suspended particles and impurities from water.
The basic principle involved passing water through a
porous cloth or fabric, which physically captured and
retained particles, sediments, and other impurities.
a. Chosen a white cloth that had a tight weave. That
effectively trapped particles and still allowed water to pass
through.
b. Multiple layers of cloth have been used to enhance the
filtration efficiency.
c. Collected filtered water in a final container and allowed it
to set for a day.

Modern Method

II. Activated charcoal: Wrap the

charcoal in a cloth and pulverize it with the hammer.
Make some holes in the bottom of the plastic bottle.
Insert some cotton balls, then add some charcoal.
Cover with another layer of cotton balls.

9. The experimenters then recorded the duration of the purification process is completed.
10. Promptly after, we measured the volume of the collected final sample. Assessing if it is
the same as the initial volume, and the factor that could have contributed to the result?
11. While assessing the volume, the color is also observed and is assessed if it is the same
as the initial sample’s color.
12. The pH also is again tested after the purification process while testing if it is the same as
the initial sample.
13. Lastly, the experimenters then identified the advantages and disadvantages of the selected method.