1.

Why does water carried through lead pipes becomes poisonous ?

Answer» Lead slowly dissolves in water containing dissolved air forming lead hydroxide which makes water phoisonous .
`2Pb + O_(2) + 2H_(2)O rarr 2Pb(OH)_(2)`
This dissolution of lead in water is called plumbosolvency. It increase if water contains nitrates, organic acods and ammonium salts. However, presence of salts like phosphates , carbonate and sulphates in water retards plumbosolvency since they from a coating of the corresponding insoluble lead salts on the surface of the lead pipe which protects it from further action. Since hard water contains chlorides, sulphide and carbonates of `Ca^(2+)` or `Mg^(2+)` which from the corresponding insoluble lead salts, therefore, hard water has no action on lead pipes.


Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions