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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > February  >
In the Classroom
JCE Classroom Activity
Water Filtration
Erica K. Jacobsen
Journal of Chemical Education, Madison, WI 53715
Cover
February 2004
Vol. 81 No. 2
p. 224A
Abstract
Water sources such as lakes, rivers, and ground water supply much of the water for domestic use. Some of the water that reaches our household faucets has also been used for other purposes. Water from these various sources is treated to remove impurities and to make it suitable for human consumption. Several steps can form the treatment process. Large items and particles can be filtered out using screens. Some particles may be allowed to settle out. This can be aided by first adding lime (CaO) to produce a basic solution. Alum (KAl(SO4)2) is then added, which reacts with hydroxide ions (OH– ) to form Al(OH)3, a precipitate which settles out of solution, taking small particles with it. Additional particles can be removed by filtration through sand. Activated charcoal has been treated to increase its porosity and surface area, and is used to adsorb odors and some colored substances. Certain impurities, including carbon-based particles and chlorine, are attracted to the charcoal and remain trapped in the pores. Water is also disinfected using chemical treatments, commonly chlorine. In this Activity, students make a water filtration column using a two-liter plastic bottle that contains layers of gravel, sand, and activated charcoal. They contaminate a sample of water and examine the filtration ability of the column.
Supplement
A QuickTime movie of a column as it filters a sample is available. Click below to download, or this link to view.
*  Contents JCE2004p0224AW.mov (QuickTime)
*  Download
JCE2004p0224AW.zip

JCE2004p0224AW.sit
More Information
*  Citation
 Jacobsen, Erica K. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 224A.
*  Keywords
 Elementary / Middle School Science; Environmental Chemistry; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Separation Science; Water / Water Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 January 5, 2004
February 18, 2005
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