Question

Which ions will cause hardness in water?

Answer 1

• For cleansing purposes when soaps are used, they form an insoluble precipitate in hard water. This is known as the hardness of the water.
• The sulphates, carbonates, and bicarbonate salts of Magnesium and Calcium are insoluble in water and cause hardness.
• Thus for cleansing purposes in hard water detergents are a better choice than soaps, as they will not form such insoluble salts with Magnesium and Calcium.