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To clarify your question: Can limestone convert hard water to soft water? ---- Short answer: NO! However, lime can be used.
Limestone actually causes hard water. Limestone is composed mostly of the minerals calcite (a calcium carbonate - CaCO3) and dolomite (a magnesium calcium carbonate - (Mg,Ca)CO3).Groundwater passing through limestone picks up calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) ions which makes the water "hard" because the ions bond with the surfactants in soap, forming a scum and preventing the soap from bonding with dirt - this is why it takes more soap to clean your clothes in hard water.
Water is "softened" by removing the calcium and magnesium ions. This can be done using lime (calcium oxide - CaO), which causes the calcium and magnesium to precipitate out as calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Now for the twist: lime is made by calcining, or roasting, limestone! (Calcining is a key step to making cement.)
More commonly, water is softened by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This is usually accomplished one of 3 ways:
* Passing the hard water through a zeolite (a sodium silicate mineral) filter. * Passing the hard water through a sodium impregnated ion exchange resin (hence the salt for soft water conditioners). * Adding borax (a sodium borate mineral) to the (wash only) water. (Not recommended if you intend to ingest the water.)
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Is hard water or soft water a greater solvent?
Soft water is better solvent
How can you tell the difference between hard and soft water?
soft water easily lather witth soap but hard water do not.
Why is calcium hydroxide used in food?
It's used "for processing water (for alcoholic and soft drinks)" -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_hydroxide
Can you water houseplants with soft water?
Yes
Is river water hard or soft water?
Rainwater is naturally soft but can be hardened when it has picks up calcium and magnesium which are the essential minerals in hard water.
Is lime stone a soft or hard rock?
Lime stone varies from crumbly to almost as hard as flint, depending mostly on how much weight was above it when it was being formed.
Is lime a soft wood?
Yes lime is a soft wood
Is water soft?
Soft Water is water that has had all the ions such as sodium and calcium and magnesium, lead and copper removed from it due to filtration and sedementation process. (also the adding of lime water) hope that helps!
What is soft water?
Soft Water is water that has had all the ions such as sodium and calcium and magnesium, lead and copper removed from it due to filtration and sedementation process. (also the adding of lime water) hope that helps!
Is lime stone hard rock?
Limestone is a sedimentary rocks composed of calcite and aragonite. Sedimentary rocks are usually soft rock because they are consistent of so many different particles.
How do you make bronze and iron its a school thing?
=Iron is formed by the cooking of iron ore deposits with lime stone & coke.(not the popular soft drink)The coke material comes from the heating of coal without air.=
Does lime keep rabbits out of gardens?
Yes, lime keeps rabbits out of gardens according to anecdotal, not scientifically researched, gardening. Home-made recipes typically mix cow manure, lime and water; cow manure, lime, soot and sulfur; or carbolic acid, lime and sulfur with gas-tar (replaced by soft soap in summer). Gardeners must consider that lime can raise the soil power of hydrogen (pH) and therefore may affect what is growing.
What color is the Flannel flower?
Flannel Flowers are a soft lime white colour
What soft drink originally named bib-label lithiated lemon lime?
7up
How do you from 9 stone to 8 stone?
avoid soft drinks (Coke) exercise
Why is a couch soft?
Hmm..A couch is soft because, it would not be as comforatable if it was made of stone.
What type of substance is calcium hydroxide?
Also called calcium hydrate. A soft, white, crystalline substance used in mortar and plasters. Slightly water soluble powder obtained from the action of water on lime. Ca(OH)2.
