CHAPTER 5 WATER AND SOLUTION 溶液

Physical 物理 Characteristics 特性 of Water

1 Water exists 存在 as solid 固体 (ice), liquid
液体(water) or gas (steam 水蒸气).
2 Water can change 转换 from one state 状态
to another.
3 The change in the state of water occurs 发生
at a fixed 固定的 temperature.

Physical Properties 特性 of Pure Water

1 No smell 没有气味, taste 味道 and colour.
2 Density 密度(at 4°C) is 1.0 g/cm3
3 Boiling point 沸点 is 100°C, freezing point 冻点 is 0°C
4 Water has high surface 表面 tension 张力. Surface tension is the cohesive forces 内聚力 between
water molecules 分子.
5 Capillary action 毛细管作用 is the cohesive forces between water molecules and adhesive forces 附
着力 between water molecules and the wall of xylem 木质部 which enable water to move from roots to
leaves.
6 The physical state of water changes when heat is absorbed 被吸收 or released.被释放

Melting 溶化 is the process in Boiling 煮沸 is the process in

which a substance 物体 changes which a substance changes from
from the solid state to the liquid the liquid state to the gas state.
state.

Freezing 冷冻 is the process in Condensation 冷凝 is the process

which a substance changes from in which a substance changes from
the liquid state to the solid state. the gas state to the liquid state.

Composition 成分 of Water

1. Water is a compound 复合物 which is made up

of hydrogen 氢 and oxygen elements 元素.
2. Two atoms of hydrogen combine 结 合
chemically with one atom of oxygen to form one
molecule of water. Therefore, the composition of
water can only be broken down by a chemical
method such as electrolysis 电解.
3. Electrolysis is a process of breaking down water
into its elements by directing an electric current 电流
through it.

4. During electrolysis:
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 (a) an electrolyte 电解液 is added to the water so that the water can conduct electricity better (e.g. dilute
稀 sulphuric acid 硫酸 and dilute hydrochloric acid 稀盐酸)
(b) an electrodes 电焊条 in the form of rods 杵 or a plates are put inside the water to conduct electricity
(e.g. graphite 石墨 and carbon 碳)
(i) Anode 阳极, the positive electrode, is connected to the positive terminal 正极端子 of the dry cell.
(ii) Cathode 阴极, the negative electrode is connected to the negative terminal 负端 of the dry cell.
(c) Electricity 电流 flows through the water from anode to cathode.

Activity 3 To determine the ratio of oxygen to hydrogen in water through the electrolysis of water
Procedure Discussion
1. Arrange the apparatus as shown in the diagram. 1. The volume of gases collected in test tubes A and
2. Add a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid into the B is in the ratio of 1 : 2.
distilled water. 2. The gas collected in test tube A is oxygen because
3. Observe the two carbon rods. it makes a glowing wooden splinter burst into flame
4. Test the gas collected in test tube A using a 火焰.
glowing 灼热的 wooden splinter 木头. 3. The gas collected in test tube B is hydrogen because a
5. Test the gas collected in test tube B using a 'pop' sound is heard when it is tested with a burning
burning wooden splinter wooden splinter.
Observation Conclusion
Procedure Observation One molecule of water consists of one atom of
Bubbles of gas are oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen.
Begin the electrolysis
formed at each carbon rod
Test the gas in test tube
The glowing wooden
A with a glowing
splinter bursts into flame
wooden splinter
Test the gas in test tube The wooden splinter
B with a burning wooden extinguishes and a 'pop'
splinter sound is heard

QUICK FACTS
Electrolysis can be used to coat 盖上 a cheaper metal with a layer of a more expensive metal, such as gold or
silver.

Evaporation 蒸发 of Water

1. Evaporation refers to the process by which a

liquid turns into a gas.
2. Evaporation takes place at any temperature
below 100oC
3. Evaporation is a continuous process that occurs
slowly. It involves the particles at the surface 表面
of the liquid.
4. The particles at the surface of the liquid absorb
energy from the surroundings and become more
energetic 有力的.
5. As these particles become more energetic, they
escape from 逃出 the surface of the liquid to become
vapour 蒸汽.(gas molecules)
6. The water that is left behind becomes cooler
because the evaporated particles remove energy from
the water.

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Factors 因素 Affecting 影响 the Rate 率 of Evaporation of Water
1. Evaporation does not occur at the same 相同 speed 速度 all the time.
2. The rate of evaporation of water is influenced 被影响 by several factors:
(a) temperature of the surroundings 周围
(b) humidity 湿度- when the air humidity is high, the rate of water is low.
(c) movement 移动 of air- when there is moving air, the rate of evaporation of water is high.
(d) surface area of water water - when the exposed surface urea of is large, the rate of evaporation of water is
high.

Experiment 1 To study the effect of humidity on the rate of evaporation

Problem statement
How does humidity affect the rate of evaporation of
water?

Hypothesis
The lower the humidity, the higher the rate of
evaporation.

Variables
1. Controlled: Amount of water, surface area of
water, temperature of surroundings,
movement of air
2. Manipulated: Humidity in bell jar Observation
3. Responding: Rate of evaporation of water The water on glass slide A dries faster than the water
on glass slide B.
Procedure
1. Arrange the apparatus as shown in the diagram. Inference
2. Observe the water on the glass slides to see which 1. The air in bell jar A is drier than the air in bell jar
one dries faster. B because anhydrous 无水的 calcium chloride 氯化
钙 absorbs water vapour in bell jar A.
2. Low humidity means there is more space for the
water molecules to escape into the air.

Conclusion
The rate of evaporation increases when humidity is
low. The hypothesis is accepted.

Experiment 2 To study the effect of surface area on the rate of evaporation

Problem statement
How does surface area affect the rate of evaporation
of water?
Hypothesis
The larger the surface area, the higher the rate of
evaporation.
Variables
1. Controlled: Amount of water, temperature of
surroundings, humidity, movement of air
2. Manipulated: Surface area Observation and Inference
3. Responding: Rate of evaporation of water 1. Filter paper Y dries faster than filter paper X.
Procedure 2. A larger surface area allows more water molecules
1. Wet two pieces of filter papers. to escape into the air.
2. Fold filter paper X twice and place it on a tile.
3. Place filter paper Y unfolded on a tile. Conclusion
4. Place both tiles under the Sunlight A larger surface area increases the rate of
evaporation. The hypothesis is accepted.

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 (C) Surrounding temperature

Variables
Manipulated : Surrounding temperature、
Responding : The rate of evaporation of water
Constant: Volume of water, air humidity, movement
of air, exposed surface area of water
Hypothesis
The higher the surrounding temperature, the higher
the rate of evaporation of water.
Procedure
1 The arrangement of the apparatus is prepared as in
Figure 5.7.
2 The cobalt chloride paper that turns blue first is
recorded.
Observation
Cobalt chloride paper B turns to blue faster than cobalt chloride paper A.
Discussion
1 Heat 热 from the lamp dries up the water on cobalt chloride paper B faster, so water evaporates faster
when surrounding temperature is high.
2 Anhydrous cobalt chloride paper becomes blue when it is dry and pink when it is wet.
Conclusion
The higher the surrounding temperature, the higher the rate of evaporation of water. The hypothesis is
accepted.

(D) Movement of air

Variables
Manipulated : Movement of air
Responding : The rate of evaporation of water
Constant : Volume of water, air humidity, surrounding temperature and exposed surface area of water
Hypothesis
The faster the movement of air, the higher the rate of evaporation of water.
Procedure
1. 0.5 cm3 of water is filled in two separate evaporating dishes.
2. One evaporating dish is placed 放置 under a rotating 转动的 fan while another is placed in a room with
still 静止的 air.
Observation
The water in the evaporating dish under rotating fan dries up 干涸 faster.
Discussion
1. The moving air brings water vapour 水蒸气 chat is near to water surface away.
2. So, the air becomes less saturated with water molecules and water evaporates faster.
Conclusion
The faster the movement of air, the higher the rate of evaporation of water. The hypothesis is accepted.

Factor
Increases/ Rate of
Explanation
decreases evaporation
The water particles have more kinetic energy 动能 to
Increases Increases
overcome the binding forces between the particles.
Temperature of the
surrounding The particles have less kinetic energy. They do not
Decreases Decreases have enough energy to break the bond 结 合 力
between the particles.

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 Too many water vapour particles in the air prevent the
Increases Decreases
particles in the water from escaping.
Humidity
Dry air means particles in the water can escape from
Decreases Increases
the surface of the water easily.
Movement of air Moving air (wind) carries away the particles that air
Increases Increases escape from the surface of the water.

Movement of air The space above the water surface is blocked by many
Decreases Decreases particles. So, less particles can escape from the water
surface.
Increases Increases More water particles are exposed to the air.
Surface area
Decreases Decreases Less water particles are exposed to the air.
Factors affecting the rate of evaporation

Application 应用 of the Evaporation of Water in Daily Life 日常生活

1. Drying 弄干 clothes
(a) Clothes dry faster on a dry, sunny 有阳光的 and windy 有风的 day.
(b) The rate of evaporation increases if clothes are spread out 铺设 because the surface area is larger.
2. Drying hair
(a) Hot air that blows out of the hairdryer 吹风机 makes the hair dry faster.
(b) The movement of dry air increases the rate of evaporation.
3. Preservation 保存。防腐 of seafood 海鲜 products
(a) Bacteria and fungi 真菌 can spoil 损坏 seafood products easily.
(b) These products are dried under the sunlight 阳光 to stop the activities of bacteria and fungi.
(c) Examples of dried seafood are fish, cuttlefish 乌贼 and prawns.
4. Processing 加工处理 food
(a) Milk powder 奶粉 is processed by evaporating droplets of liquid milk in a hot chamber 烘房. The tiny 细
小
droplets with large surface area produce fine milk powder when evaporated.
(b) Sea water is evaporated under the sunlight to produce fine salt 细盐 crystals (sodium chloride).

Solution and Rate of Solubility

Solute, Solvent and Solution 溶液

1. A solute 溶 解 物 is a substance that can be

dissolved in a liquid. Sugar dissolves 溶 解 在 in
water.
2. Solutes may be solids, liquids or gases.
3. A solvent 溶 剂 is a liquid that dissolves the
solute.
4. If a solute (e.g. sugar) is added into a beaker of
solvent (e.g. water) and the mixture is stirred, the
sugar dissolves in the water to form a solution.
5. A solution is the mixture 混 合 that is formed
when a solute dissolves in a solvent. The particles of
the solute and the particles of the solvent are spread
分布 uniformly 均匀的 in the solution.
6. A mixture of liquids can formed either a solution
or a suspension.悬浮液
7. A solution allows light to pass through it and does
not scatter 分散 the light

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Dilute 稀, Concentrated 浓缩 and Saturated 饱和 Solutions
Similarities 共同点
• All solutions are clear mixtures (translucent 半透明) and homogenous 均匀 (uniform)
• Mixtures do not separate 分开 when left 留下 to stand
6. There are three types of solution:

(a) A dilute solution 稀溶液 is formed when a little

少许 solute is dissolved in a solvent.
(b) A concentrated solution 浓溶液 is formed when
a lot 多量 of solute is dissolved in a solvent.
(c) A saturated solution 饱和溶液 is formed when
the dissolved solute has reached the maximum 最大
的 quantity. Therefore, the solvent cannot dissolve
any more solute at a certain 特定的 temperature.

Solution Description 描述
Dilute solution

A little sugar is dissolved in water to form a dilute

solution. Can still dissolve more solute

Concentrated solution
A lot of sugar is dissolved in water to form a
concentrated solution. Can still dissolve small
amount of solute

Saturated solution
A saturated solution is formed because no more
sugar can be dissolved in the water. Excess 剩余的
sugar (undssolved solutes) will settle 沉淀 at the
bottom 底部 of the beaker.

Suspension 悬浮液
1 A suspension is a non-homogenous 不同质 mixture that is formed when one or more substances cannot
dissolve in a solvent.
2 A suspension consists of insoluble 不能溶解的 solutes.
3 When it is not stirred 搅拌 or left to stand, insoluble solutes will settle 沉淀 to the bottom of container.容
器

Aspect 方面 Solution Suspension

Type of Mixture of solutes dissolve in a solvent Mixture of suspended solutes in a liquid

mixture or gas
Composition 成分 Contains 含有 dissolved substances Contains undissolved substances
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Appearance 外貌 Clear and transparent 透明, allows 允许 Opaque 不透光 and cloudy 浑浊, scatters
light to pass through 透过 分 散 light and does not allow light to
pass through

State of solution Homogenous or uniform Non-homogenous

Size of particles Small and spread evenly 均匀的 Large and does not spread uniformly 均
匀
When left to stand No precipitate 沉淀物 formed Particles of solids settle 沉 淀 at the
bottom 底部 of beaker to form precipitate
or float 漂浮 on the surface
Filtration 过滤 No residue 剩余物 of filtration left 留下 Residue of filtration left on the filter
product on the filter paper paper

Examples Salt, acidic 酸 性 and alkaline 碱 性 Medicine 药 物 solution, starch solution,

solution fruit juice, cloudy river water

Solubility 可溶性
1. Solubility is the maximum 最 多 的 amount of the solute in grams that will dissolve in 100 g (ml) of
solvent at a given temperature.
2. At 20°C, the solubility of sodium chloride is 38 g per 100 ml of water. This means a saturated 饱和的
solution is formed when 38 g of sodium chloride is dissolved in 100 ml of water.
3 Factors 因素 that affect 影响 the solubility of solute.
(a) Type of solute
• Different solutes have different solubility in a given solvent.
• For example, at 20°C，sodium chloride is more soluble in water than in potassium nitrate.
(b) Type of solvent
• The solubility of solute differs 不同 in different solvents.
• A solute may have lower solubility in one of solvent but have a higher solubility in another solvent.
• For example, salt dissolves easily in water but difficult to dissolve in alcohol.
(c) Temperature of solvent
• Most solutes dissolve more readily at higher temperature than at lower temperature.
• The solubility of solids in liquid solvents increases at high temperature.
• The solubility of gases in liquid solvents decreases at high temperature.

Rate of Solubility

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1 The rate of solubility is the time taken for a substance to dissolve in a given amount of solvent at
certain temperature.
2 The rate of solubility of a solute in a solvent depends on the factors.
(a) Size of solute
The smaller the size of solute, the faster the solute dissolves in the solvent.
(b) Rate of stirring
The faster the rate of stirring, the faster the solute dissolves in the solved
(c) Temperature of solvent
The higher the temperature of solvent, the faster eke solute dissolves in the solvent.

To determine the factors that affects the rate of solubility

(A）Temperature of solvent
Variables
Manipulated : Temperature of solvent
Responding : Rate of solubility
Constant : Volume of solvent, mass of solute,
rate of stirring, size of solute

Hypothesis
The higher the temperature of solvent, the
higher the rate of solubility.
Procedure
1 Two beakers labelled A and B, are filled with 100 cm3 of distilled water and 1 g of fine table salt.
2 Water in beaker B is heated.
Observation
I he table sale in beaker B dissolves faster than the table salt in beaker A.
Discussion
The higher the temperature of water, the faster the movement of particles of water and table salt. Hence the
faster the salt dissolves in water.
Conclusion
The higher the temperature of solvent, the higher the rate of solubility. The hypothesis is accepted.

(B) Rate of stirring 搅拌

Variables
Manipulated : Rate of stirring
Responding : Rate of solubility
Constant : Volume of solvent, mass of solute,
temperature of solvent and size of solute

Hypothesis
The higher the rate of stirring, the higher the rate of
solubility.

Procedure
1 Two beakers labelled A and By are filled with 100
cm3 of distilled water and 1 g of fine salt
2 The mixture in beaker A is stirred slowly but the
mixture in beaker B is stirred quickly.

Observation
The salt in beaker B dissolves faster than the salt in beaker A.

Discussion
When a mixture is stirred quickly, the solute particles move faster and dissolve faster in the water.

Conclusion
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The higher the rate of stirring, the higher the rate of solubility. The hypothesis is accepted.

( C ) Size of solute
Problem statement
Does the size of solute particles affect the rate of
dissolving?

Hypothesis
The smaller the solute particles, the higher the rate of
dissolving.

Variables
1. Controlled: Type of solute, mass of solute, type of Observation
solvent, volume of solvent, temperature of solvent, The fine sugar in beaker B dissolves faster than the
rate of stirring coarse sugar in beaker A.
2. Manipulated: Size of solute particles
3. Responding: Rate of dissolving Inference
1. Fine sugar 细 糖 particles have a larger surface
Procedure area that comes into contact with the solvent
1. Fill beaker A and beaker B each with 50 m€ of particles. So, they dissolve faster than the coarse
distilled water. sugar.
2. Put 2 g of coarse sugar into beaker A and 2 g of 2. The coarse 粗 sugar has smaller surface area to be
fine sugar into beaker B. in contact 接 触 with the solvent particles. So, it
3. Stir both beakers at the same rate. dissolves much slower than the fine sugar.
4. Observe the contacts in both beakers.
Conclusion
The rate of dissolving is increased when the size of
solute particles is decreased.
The hypothesis is accepted.

Colloid 胶状体
1 A Colloid is
(a) a mixture of two or more solutes dispersed 分散，散开 evenly 均匀 in a solvent
(b) a mixture that is not clear like a solution
(c) a mixture that does not settle at the bottom of beaker like a suspension when left to stand
2 Therefore, a colloid is a form of mixture that its state is between a solution and a suspension.

Solution Colloid Suspension

Particles of solutes are fine 细小 Particles of solutes are bigger than Particles of solutes are very big
in solution
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Clear 明亮 Cloudy 混浊 Cloudy
Does not settle to form precipitate Does not settle to form precipitate Settles to form precipitate
Does not scatter 分散 light Scatters light Scatters light
Light can pass through Light cannot pass through Light cannot pass through
Example: Mineral water Example： Gelatin 凝胶 Example: Blood

Types of colloid and examples in daily life

Emulsion 乳胶 Gel 凝胶 Foam 泡沫

Mixture of two or Mixture of liquid Mixture of gas and
more types of and solid liquid
liquid

Milk Hair gel Shaving foam 剃须

膏

Ice-cream Jelly 果冻 Whipped cream

生奶油

Water Is a Universal Solvent 广用溶剂

1 Water can dissolve almost all substances. So, water is also known a universal solvent.
2 A solution that uses water as a solvent is known as an aqueous solution.水溶液
3 Water is used to make food, drinks and in the cleaning industry.
4 Water is important for many biochemical 生物化学 reactions that take place 发生 in the body, such
as digestion.消化

Organic Solvents 有机溶剂

1 There are substances that cannot dissolve in water, but these substances can dissolve in organic
solvents.
2 Organic solvents are carbon-based solvents that are very volatile 易挥发的. This make them suitable
适合 to be used in the preparation 准备 of spraying 喷 materials such as paints 漆, perfumes 香水 and
insecticides.杀虫剂
3 The following table shows the use of organic solvents in daily life.

Organic solvent Solutes

Alcohol Iodine, ink, chlorophyll 叶绿素
Amyl acetate Nail varnish 指甲油, lipstick 口红
Benzene 苯 Grease 润滑油, rubber
Carbon disulphide Sulphur 硫磺, rubber
Chloroform 氯仿 Plastic
Ether 醚 Fat, grease
Thinner 稀释剂 Ta 柏油 r, paint, grease
Turpentine 松节油 Paint 漆

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 Organic solvent Uses
Alcohol To dissolve iodine to make antiseptic 消毒剂
Acetone 丙酮 To prepare nail varnish 指甲油 and lipstick
Benzene To remove 去除 rubber stains 污点
To prepare adhesives 粘合剂 for plastic
Chloroform To dissolve alkaloids 似碱的 in poppy seeds 樱栗的种子 during
extraction 取出 of morphine.吗啡
Ether 以太 To dissolve oil to make perfume, extracts fat and oil
Kerosene 煤油，火油 Dissolves grease 油脂 and black oil ( tar )
Methylated spirits Dissolve concentrated shellac 虫漆
Thinner To thin varnishes 清漆
Turpentine To dilute and remove paint

Water Purification 水净化 and Water Supply 水供

Natural Sources of Water
Water covers 覆盖 about 70% of the surface of the Earth and this part is called the hydrosphere.水圈

Natural source of Characteristics

water
Rain • Water sources on Earth evaporate to form water vapour. An accumulation 堆积
of water vapour condenses and falls as rain
• Contains dissolved gases (e.g. oxygen, carbon dioxide) and some impurities 混
杂物 (e.g. dust)
Pond 池塘/Lake 湖 • A collection of freshwater 淡水 that is stagnant 不流动
• Contains impurities such as decaying 腐烂 substances, microorganisms 微生物
and minerals
River • The water flows to the sea
• Contains a lot of impurities such as minerals, microorganisms and decaying
substances
Spring 泉水 • The underground water 地下水 flows out naturally to the surface of the Earth
• The water flows through several layers of rocks and soil. Therefore, the water is
filtered and contains dissolved minerals as well as microorganisms
Well 井水 • Some underground water 地下水 is trapped between impermeable 透不过的
rocks 岩石
• Contains dissolved minerals and microorganisms
Snow 雪 • It is water in a solid state
• Falls from the sky only in very cold places
Sea • The dirtiest of all natural water sources
• Contains a lot of salt (especially sodium chloride), impurities and decaying
matters

Natural sources of water and their characteristics

Water Purification Method
1. Water must be treated 处理 so that it is safe for human consumption.饮用 The drinking water should have
these properties:
(a) No bad smell and taste
(b) No colour
(c) No harmful 有害的 microorganisms
(d) No precipitate 沉淀 or suspended 悬浮的 materials
(e) Contains dissolved minerals
2. Natural water consists of microorganisms that cause illness 疾病 such as cholera 霍乱, dysentery 痢疾
and typhoid.伤寒
3. Therefore, water must be treated before it can be used for drinking.
4. Water can be treated through the following methods:
(a) Boiling (c) Filtration
(b) Chlorination (d) Distillation

Water Purification Methods

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Boiling 煮沸
1. Boiling is the process of killing microorganisms using high temperature.
2. The water is heated until its boiling temperature is reached.
3. Boiling kills most of the microorganisms in water that may cause diseases such as cholera, dysentery and
typhoid.
4 This method makes water safe 安全 for drinking.
5. Boiling does not remove suspended 悬浮的 particles and dissolved 溶入的 substances in water.

Chlorination 氯化
1. Chlorination is the process of adding certain amount of chlorine 氯 into water to kill microorganisms in
it.
2. This method is used in water treatment 处理 plants 设施 and swimming pools.
3. Chlorine that is added to water can kill microorganisms in it but cannot remove dissolved substances.
4. However, too much chlorine in water is harmful to health.
Filtration 过滤
1 This method removes suspended solid particles such as clay
and soil from water.
2 Water enters the filter that is made up of layers of fine sand
细沙, coarse 粗糙的 sand, pebbles 小卵石 and small stones.
3 The liquid that goes through the filter 过滤器 is known as
filtrate 滤出液 and solid substances that remain in the filter is
known as residues.残余物
4. This method does not remove microorganisms and dissolved
substances.

Distillation 蒸馏
1 A process where water is boiled until it
becomes steam.
2 The steam that passes through the
condenser 冷凝器 will condensed to form
distilled water.
3 Distilled water 蒸馏水 is also known as
pure water 纯水.
4 This water is free of 没有 microorganisms,
dissolved substances and suspended particles.
5 Distilled water is used to prepare chemical
solutions in laboratory 实验室, liquid
medicines in pharmacies, in food industries
and as battery water in car batteries.

Methods to Overcome 克服 Water Shortages 缺水

1 Countries 国家 that face 面对 water shortages use alternative 替代 methods 方法 to obtain 获取 water
supply.
2 Alternative methods include:
(a) Recycling 再循环 of water
• Recycle domestic 家庭的 waste water 废水 into clean water.
(b) Collection 收集 of fog 雾
• Fog is a cloud of water vapour 水蒸气 in the atmosphere 大气 near the Earth’s surface.
• Water vapour is brought by the wind and then condenses into water droplets 水滴 when passing
through a nylon 尼龙 mesh.网
• These water droplets are collected and stored 储藏 in the water tank.水槽
(c) Reverse osmosis 逆渗透技术
• The concept of reverse osmosis is used in desalination 脱盐 process.
• Seawater 海水 passes through a special selectively 选择性的 permeable 穿透 membrane 膜 under
high pressure.高压
• Only water molecules can diffuse across the small pores 洞 of the membrane.
• Other substances such as dissolved salt and bacteria are filtered.过滤
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QUICK FACTS
Apart from 除了 chlorine, ozone 臭氧 is used to purify 净化 water. Though more expensive, ozone is safer
compared to chlorine.

Water Supply System 水供系统

Water Treatment 处理 Plant 设施

Water treatment process involves several stages 阶段:

Reservoir 蓄水池
1. River water is pumped into a reservoir and kept for several days 几天.
2. Sunlight has the effect 效果 of killing some of the bacteria in water.

Screening 筛查
1. The water is pumped into the screening tank from the reservoir.
2. The metal screen removes large objects such as fish, twigs 细枝, branches 树枝 and rubbish.

Aeration 增氧， 通风
1. Water is pumped upwards to dissolve the oxygen in air.
2. This will also get rid of 除掉 unpleasant 不快的 smell and taste.

Coagulation 凝结
1. Water is then pumped into the coagulation tank.
2. Slaked lime 熟化的石灰 (calcium hydroxide) and alum 白矾 (aluminium sulphate) are added.
3. Alum coagulates 凝固 suspended particles such as mud 泥, soil and other particles to form larger solid
lumps 结成块.
4. Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) reduces the acidity of the water.

Mixing 混合
1. The water flows into the mixing tank.
2. This is to enable the chemicals added to be mixed properly.

Sedimentation 沉淀
1. The water then flows very slowly into the sendimentation tank.
2. The coagulated particles sink to the bottom of the tank.
3. Valves 阀 help to discard 丢弃 the coagulated particles at the bottom of the tank.
4. The cleaner water is allowed to flow to the filtration tank.

Filtration
1. In the filtration tank, sand and stone filters are used to remove the remaining suspended particles.
2. The product is cleaner water which is free from solid impurities.

Chlorination 氯化 and fluoridation 氟化

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1. A small amount of chlorine is added to the water
to kill some harmful microorganisms.

2. Some fluoride compound is also added to the

water. Fluoride helps to prevent dental decay 牙蛀.

Ways to Save Water

1. We must be more responsible 有责任 when using water in order to avoid 避免 wastage 浪费.
2. Some common problems related to 关于 water are wastage of water, shortage 短缺 of water supply 水供
and pollution 污染 of water.
3. Consumers 消费者 must:
(a) Inform the Water Supply Department quickly in any case of leakage of water pipes or water theft.
(b) Reduce consumption 耗尽 of water.
(c) Reuse water that has been used.
(d) Turn off the tap 水龙头 while brushing teeth.
(e) Recycle 再循环 water especially in factories that use a lot of water.
(f) Develop 发展 and implement 执行 a system to treat 处理 waste water from homes to be reused.
(g) Install 安置 water-saving showerhead 淋浴器 and low-flush 冲水 toilet.

Preservation 保留 of Water Quality

5.8.1 Water Pollution
1. Water pollution is caused by physical or chemical pollutants 污 染 物 such as rubbish or other waste
materials.
2. Biodegradable 生物可分解的 materials are pollutants that can be broken down such as faeces 粪便 and
dead organisms.
3. Non-biodegradable 生物不可分解的 materials are pollutants that cannot be broken down such as plastic
materials, chemical wastes and radioactive 辐射性 materials.

Source of pollutants

Examples
Domestic wastes 家庭废料 Garbage 垃圾, sewage 污水, detergent and other cleaning materials
• Chemical wastes, radioactive residues 残余, toxic 有毒的 metals (e.g.
Industrial wastes
lead 铅, mercury 水银)
Chemicals from agricultural • Pesticides 杀虫剂, insectides, fungicides 杀真菌剂, herbicides 除草剂,
activities fertilizers 肥料
Oil spillage 石油泄漏 • Petroleum
Deforestation 砍伐森林 • Silt 淤泥(mud)
Construction 建筑 • Debris 垃圾 from construction sites
Sources of water pollutants

Effects of Water Pollutants on Living Things

1. Heavy Metals 重金属 and radioactive 辐射性 substances
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 (a) Radioactive wastes are nonbiodegradable and may cause cancer.
(b) Mercury 水银, lead 铅 and other heavy metals accumulate 堆积 in the tissues and organs of animals
and humans.
2. Domestic wastes
(a) Domestic wastes pollute drinking water and cause diseases such as cholera 霍乱, dysentery 痢疾 and
typhoid 伤寒.
(b) Some types of skin diseases are caused by polluted water used for bathing or washing clothes.
(c) Decaying 腐 烂 process uses oxygen and reduces 减 少 the amount of dissolved oxygen in water.
Aquatic 水里 organisms are affected and they may die. This causes the water to have bad smell 气味.
3. Chemicals from agricultural 农业 activities
(a) Fertilizers 肥料 in soil are washed off by rainwater 雨水 and then flow into rivers.
(b) The increased population 数目 of algae due to fertilizers prevent 阻止 sunlight from reaching 到达
inside of the river.
(c) Aquatic 水里 plants may die because they cannot get enough 足够 sunlight.
(d) Microorganisms decompose 分解 dead 死的 plants.
(e) The reduced 减少 amount of oxygen in the river kills aquatic organisms.
(f) Pesticides 杀虫剂 are non-biodegradable.不能被生物分解
4. silt 淤泥
(a) Mud pollutes rivers and affects aquatic organisms.
(b) Mud flows into rivers and makes them shallower. Shallow 浅 rivers cause water to overflow 溢出 and
floods 水灾 to occur.
(c) Mud prevents some aquatic plants from receiving sunlight. This causes them to die because they
cannot carry out photosynthesis.
5. Oil spillage 漏油
(a) Oil is toxic 有毒 to many aquatic organisms as well as to species of birds living near the sea.
(b) Oil spillage causes the death of many plants and animals, resulting in 导致 the danger of some species
extinction 绝种.

Ways to Control Water Pollution

Water pollution can be controlled using some approaches 途径:
(a) Educate 教育 the public about the danger of water pollution through campaigns 运动.
(b) Enforce 执行 laws 法律 on the disposal 丢弃 of chemical wastes, rubbish and other types of waste into
rivers and seas.
(c) Control the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Biological control 生物控制 should be used instead.
(d) Control deforestation to avoid soil erosion 土壤浸蚀 and silt problems.
(e) Recycle domestic wastes. Treated before industrial wastes disposal.

Water Sustainability 永续性

1 Water sources must be used and conserved 保存 sustainably to ensure it can continuously 继续 support 支
撑 all living organisms.
2 Water sustainability means the water is always available 存在 and can be obtained permanently 永久 for a
long period of time.

Ways to save 节省 water and maintain 维持 water sustainability

1 Turn off 关掉 the tap 水喉 when it is not used.
2 Use a container 容器 to fill up 装 water when brushing teeth.
3 Use a bucket 水桶 and not a hose 水管 when washing the car and floor.
4 Collect rainwater to wash the floor and car.
5 Report pipe leakages 漏水 immediately 立刻 to the authorities.有关方面
6 Use eco-friendly 对环境友善 detergent 洗洁剂 products.
7 Wash clothes when the load 装量 is full.

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