making solutions

[jodye]

Morning,

This is probably a really stupid question but... can you use tap water to make up solutions or does it have to be distilled water?

Thanks
Jodye

[Narelle01]

i check with the teacher - or go by the rule of thumb 'if it is for a snr chemistry class then i use distilled water' or if they are doing PH stuff then i use distilled - otherwise tap is generally OK.

[Lis]

I always use tap water unless it is specified by the teachers

[dime]

We only ever use distilled water. Our tap water here is very hard. If your tap water is rain water then it might be OK. Ours is bore, so full of minerals which I figure could upset some chemicals. Good to drink though, minerals and all.

[japezz]

I think it depends on your water quality.
I work at two schools, at one I use tap water and have no problems.
At the other I get all sort of interesting precpitates if I use tap water,
which is bore water, so I have to use ditilled water.

[RosalieM]

It also depends what chemicals you are making up. If you make silver nitrate it has to be distilled or it reacts with the chlorine (and probably other things) in the water. Perhaps make up some small amounts to test if they do the right things in the prac and if it works make a note that those chemicals at that concentration work with tap water.

[noona]

Make sure you use DISTILLED WATER for Nitrates
I use water for the rest unless it is a prac exam then I use distilled water

[jodye]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.