The rigidity is a property of water which means existence of calcium cations in it and magnesium. The investigation of this phenomenon can be observed, for example, as a scum on heating elements (an electric kettle spiral, battery inside and so forth). Some everyday situations, such as dosage of laundry detergent or setup of the dishwasher, demand to determine hardness of water. Whether there is a way to carry out it in house conditions?
Instruction
1. It is possible to carry at least three to number of the ways which are not demanding any special equipment. – to check the first whether soap foams. If foams, water can be considered not really rigid if does not foam, then on the contrary. The way very simple, but gives only a superficial idea of hardness of water. The second – to reveal intensity of emergence of already mentioned scum, stony deposits on the surface of water-heating devices. Minus this way – it considers only temporary rigidity. The third – for real "gourmets", check by language receptors. Hard water has bitterish smack. Certainly, determination of hardness of water can be considered these ways only approximate.
2. For more exact check it is possible to use rigidity indicators. As a rule, it is possible to buy them in the shops which are engaged in trade in goods for laboratories, hospitals, schools and HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (sets for laboratory works) or in pet-shops (special structures for water tests).
3. In addition, it is possible to measure hardness of water by means of so-called TDS meter. The abbreviation of TDS is deciphered as total dissolved solids, i.e. the general content of the dissolved solid substances. The TDS meter represents the portable, working on the battery device. It is simple to use it: it is necessary to pour the studied water in some capacity, to remove a protective cap from the device, to lower electrodes in liquid and to make measurement.