Chemistry (Hard Water, limescale, scum)

Causes:

• calcium/magnesium ions
• dissolved from minerals in the ground

How scum is formed:

• stearate ions in soap react with the calcium/magnesium ions to form insoluble calcium stearate

Why scum is a problem:

• have to use more soap- expensive
• scum in washing- may damage fabrics

Limescale:

• deposits of insoluble calcium carbonate on the inside of hot water pipes and other heating elements

How limescale forms:

• when hard water is heated, soluble calcium hydrogen…